But government is largely self-administered and it has some trappings of nationhood - for example, competing in international sporting events under its own banner - and ended up under New Zealand's aegis only because of its colonial history.

BBC: Tokelau plans an all-renewables future

Banned for life last year from competing in sanctioned sporting events, stripped of his seven Tour de France titles as a result of his long-denied involvement with doping, and having lost most of his endorsement deals, Armstrong is back in the news this week in a tell-all (or tell-some) interview with Oprah, marking the start of a public campaign geared towards restoring his image.

FORBES: Why Lance Armstrong's Brand Is Beyond Repair

Scotland would benefit economically from plans to create world class training facilities to be used for pre-Games preparation by many of the 200 competing teams and by taking part in pre-Olympic cultural and sporting events.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Scotland | Scotland in line for Olympic gold