The 2024 Summer Olympics begin in Paris, and this year’s opening ceremony takes on a historic new feel as the parade of athletes marches down the Seine River, as opposed to the typical stadium setting.
While this year’s opening ceremony will be full of glitz and glamour, it may also be a little less glitzy, due to the absence of a popular flag bearer.
Tongan native Pita Taufatofua became a global sensation as the country’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
There, he gained international attention for his shirtless, oiled-up appearance, for which he wore a traditional Tongan ta’ovala. To the delight of viewers, he attended the opening ceremonies of the 2018 Winter Olympics and the 2020 Summer Olympics wearing a similar look.
Unfortunately for Taufatofua’s large international fan base, the 40-year-old failed to qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Here’s what we know about the beloved Olympian and what he’s been up to since his last appearance:
Taufatofua’s Viral Moment
Taufatofua’s appearance at the 2016 Olympic opening ceremony was called “one of the most dramatic moments” of the night by TODAY.com. The 33-year-old entered the ceremony shirtless and oiled as he assumed his role as flag bearer for the Polynesian kingdom of Tonga.
Taufatofua further captivated viewers with his appearance because of what he was wearing: a taʻovala.
According to the Waikato Museum in Hamilton, New Zealand, traditional Tongan clothing is worn by both men and women on formal occasions.
Taʻovalas are typically woven from leaves and worn around the waist like a skirt, a style that Taufatofua wore for each of her appearances at the Olympic opening ceremony.
Taufatofua participated in both the Summer and Winter Games
Taufatofua has competed in several Olympic Games in taekwondo and cross-country skiing since Rio. At the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, Taufatofua became the first Olympic cross-country skier from Tonga and the Polynesian archipelago.
He returned to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo to compete in taekwondo.
Taufatofua also wrote a book
In 2018, Taufatofua published his book “The Motivation Station: An Essential Guide to Becoming Your Greatest Version.” The book offers insights on topics related to achieving goals, overcoming self-doubt, and managing depression and anxiety.
Where he lives now
According to The Coconet TV, an online network of Pacific Island-related content, Taufatofua was born in Australia and moved to Tonga, where his father is from, as a child.
In 2022, NPR reported that he was living in Australia.
Will Taufatofua be at the Paris Games?
On April 18, Taufatofua confirmed in an Instagram post that he had not qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
“Sorry Paris, the five gallons of extra virgin coconut oil I have stored may have to wait,” he wrote in the caption of his post.
“This time, my team and I failed to compete at the Paris Olympics. I gave my all in the kayak and taekwondo qualifications, but I missed out on a qualification.”
NBC Chicago
