Fan-favourite Tongan flag bearer Pita Taufatofua will return for the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on Friday, 26 July.
Taufatofua first gained global attention at the Rio Olympics eight years ago, carrying the Tongan flag while wearing a traditional ta’ovala and sporting a heavily oiled chest. He repeated this at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang in 2018 and again in Tokyo in 2021.
Although he won’t be competing this year in Paris, Taufatofua announced on social media that he missed qualifying for the Games but felt compelled to attend. “The spirit of the Games called me,” he said. “This time the medal I fight for is to be of service, to be there for my fellow athletes, an ear of support or a voice of encouragement.”
Taufatofua added, “My runners are dusted off, my shirts are two sizes too small, and our little team is ready to serve.”
