The apparently random sequence in which countries marched out at the opening ceremony of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics had many observers scratching their heads, but it was indeed in alphabetical order — in Korean.
Greece emerged first into the arena on a sub-zero Friday night, in line with tradition. But next to march was the skeleton athlete Akwasi Frimpong, the flag bearer for Ghana.
Compounding the confusion for many, Ghana was followed by Nigeria, South Africa and then the Netherlands.
Organisers in South Korea clarified that none of this had been a mistake and said the order was based on the Korean alphabet, Hangul.