While some nations might whinge about winning dozens of medals, others will be glad of just one - and a bronze at that.
More than 80 countries competing in Beijing have never before been on the Olympic podium. For a myriad of reasons - political, geographical, financial - their sporting prowess has never matured.
After a crisis meeting with the International Olympic Committee last week, war-torn Iraq was finally allowed to send four athletes but their chances of making the podium are slim.
The IOC had suspended the country's participation in May citing political interference in its national Olympic committee, which the Iraqi government had dissolved over allegations of corruption.
But Iraq pledged to hold free elections for the committee under international observation, paving the way for its reinstatement.
"It does not matter what we will achieve at the Games, the important thing is we are here," said relieved Iraqi sprinter Dana Hussein, who will compete in 100m and 200m as her country's sole female competitor.
"I have realized my dream of competing at the Olympics, and I am extremely happy to come to Beijing."
The others who arrived Monday included rower Haidar Nozad, who is in the men's double sculls with Hamzah Hussein Jebur, and Haidir Nasir in the men's discus, but with few facilities their training has been scant.
Timor-Leste, one of the world's poorest countries, became the first new nation of the 21st century when it declared independence from Indonesia in 2002, just in time to send a team to Athens.
It's key sports are boxing, weightlifting, taekwondo and athletics.
But severe shortages of money, facilities and equipment means the nation faces more obstacles than most in achieving its Olympic dream, and only marathon runners Antonio Ramos and Mariana Diaz Ximenez are in Beijing.
"Sport is not a priority for the government of East Timor and our infrastructure is non-existent," said Joao Carrascalao, the head of Timor's Olympic committee.
"We don't have any hope of winning the marathon, but to finish the marathon is already an achievement."
Another country facing difficulties is the tiny South Pacific island nation of Kiribati, which has managed to send three athletes - 200m sprinters Kaitinano Mwemweata and Rabangaki Nawai, and weightlifter David Katoatau.
Tiny Brunei might be oil rich but when it comes to producing athletes, it is lacking big time. The small monarchy on the island of Borneo will be competing in its fifth Summer Olympics but will inevitabley go home empty-handed.
Bhutan is bigger than Brunei but remains one of the most secluded countries in the world, tucked between Asian heavyweights China and India.
Their national sport is archery - competitions are held regulary in villages throughout the monarchy - and they have an outside chance after six Games with no joy.
Cambodia may not be a minnow in population terms, but it remains that way in the sporting arena.
Boxing is its forte and it has sent a handful of athletes, including swimmer Hem Thon Ponloeu and his 16-year-old niece Hem Thon Vitiny.
Like many Asian nations, Africa has its fair share on non-achievers.
While countries like Ethiopia and Kenya regularly churn out world-beating distance runners, the vast majority of African nations have never produced the goods.
This includes Angola, Chad, Gambia, Liberia, and Malwai.
Other countries never to have made the podium include Bolivia, Cook Islands, Jordan, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, and Tajikistan.
A handful of nations have won just one bronze medal since the Games started in 1896, including Iraq, Kuwait, Niger, Kyrgyzstan, and Guyana, while Vietnam, Paraguay, Tonga, and Senegal have a single silver medal to their name.