Even as China, South Korea and Japan dominate the show at the Asian Games, spare a thought for the disparate collection of nations desperately seeking their moment of fame.
A handful of teams competing in Guangzhou have never made it to the podium at an Asian Games and if the first week of action is anything to go by, glory looks like eluding them yet again.
With the Games approaching the halfway point, 24 of the 45 nations Guangzhou have got a medal.
Maldives, Bhutan and Timor-Leste are yet to taste success of any kind in the history of the Games, but it is not for want of trying.
Tshewang Nidup, Bhutan's chef-de-mission, said he hoped the tiny and impoverished Himalayan country might break its duck in boxing where two fighters won their opening fights on Tuesday and Wednesday. The only other sport Bhutan has entered is taekwondo.
“We have never been to such a huge city like Guangzhou before,” said an awe-struck Nidup. With more than 10 million people, the southern Chinese metropolis dwarfs Bhutan's population.
“Bhutan is such a small nation of about 700,000 people, so this is a great opportunity to come to a big city and learn about the other countries,” said Nidup. “We are very proud to be here, we don't have to win any medals, just to participate is a big thing for a country like Bhutan.”
Maldives, better known for its idyllic beaches than its sporting prowess, is another country which has not made it to the podium.
