Still, the country will be watching.

Sweden

Cross-country skiing will be the most popular sport, “no doubt,” said Karl Forssell of Expressen Sweden. “Charlotte Kalla is the most popular athlete by a big margin.”

Kalla has parlayed cross-country fame into endorsement deals for electric toothbrushes and vegetarian meat substitutes.

Ice hockey is huge in Sweden, and after it was announced that N.H.L. players would not participate this year, “there was less interest,” he said. “But when the tournament is on ... it’s Sweden. If they can get into the semifinals, people will watch.”

Japan

The country’s biggest star, and one of the world’s biggest, is the defending men’s figure skating champion Yuzuru Hanyu.

But it’s not just Hanyu. Figure skating is “far more popular than the other sports,” said Daisuke Hasegawa of Kyodo News. “There are enthusiastic fans who go around the world for figure skating events. So many Japanese fans will be here for Hanyu.”

Only baseball and soccer can rival figure skating’s popularity, Hasegawa said.

Britain

As in the United States, interest in winter sports skyrockets in Britain every four years. One in particular. “Every time the Games come on, curling goes bonkers,” said Ed Langford of Team G.B. “It’s a national obsession for a fortnight.”