Two countries perform each day; the last participant performs on the final evening of the event.
There has been a general improvement in maternal mortality recently, but some countries are performing better than others.
"I think it was one of the most intelligent acts my country has ever performed."
A country may perform well in some areas and poorly in others.
The news spread throughout the world, where many countries performed massive wine recalls.
But if countries do not perform they will not be paid.
In advanced mathematics and physics, no country performed more poorly.
"And, you know, you cannot have a country perform with 75 percent of its firms in bankruptcy."
He said the results should not be taken as indicating how well the country would perform in the Olympics.
Some small countries, such as Jamaica in 1987, have risen to the challenge and performed magnificently.