well as human rights concerns. MSNBC anchor Thomas Roberts, also openly gay, took on hosting duties. While he condemned Russia for its anti-gay law, he stated his belief that his presence in Russia would make for a more effective statement against Russian homophobia than boycotting. Selection of participants Contestants from 86 countries and territories were selected to compete in the pageant. Nine of these delegates were appointees to their national titles and another was crowned after the organization discovered that there was an error in the placements of the finalists. Hinarani de Longeaux, the first runner-up of Miss France 2013, was appointed to represent France after Marine Lorphelin, Miss France 2013, placed first runner-up at Miss World 2013 and was ineligible to compete for Miss Universe 2013. Ana Vrcelj, the second runner-up of Miss Serbia 2012, replaced Aleksandra Doknić as Miss Universe Serbia 2013 after Doknić replaced Nikolina Bojić as Miss Serbia 2012 because she was married. Denise Garrido originally was crowned as Miss Universe Canada 2013. However, Garrido was stripped of the crown after a few hours when the organization discovered that there was a "typo" when the judges' handwritten scores were transferred into a computer program that determines the results. The official winner was Riza Santos, who was previously placed as first runner-up, while Garrido placed as third runner-up. The 2013 edition saw the debut of Azerbaijan, and the returns of Austria, Kazakhstan, Myanmar, Slovenia, and Turks and Caicos Islands. Myanmar last competed in 1961 as Burma, which makes the country's first time to compete after more than five decades of withdrawing from Miss Universe, Austria last competed in 2004, while the others last competed in 2011. Albania, the Cayman Islands, Cyprus, Georgia, Ireland, Kosovo, Montenegro, Saint Lucia, and Uruguay withdrew. Mirjeta Shala of Kosovo withdrew because her visa was denied by Russia as it does not recognize Kosovo as an independent country. The withdrawal of Shala subsequently resulted to the withdrawal of Miss Universe Albania Fioralba Dizdari from the pageant due to political reasons. Janet Kerdikoshvili of Georgia withdrew due to unexpected health problems. However, both Kerdikoshvili and Shala competed in the pageant two years later. Nikoleta Jovanović of Montenegro withdrew as she did not meet the minimum age requirements, while Micaela Orsi of Uruguay withdrew because her visa application was denied by the Russian Embassy and due to some disagreements from her national director. The Cayman