Everybody’s favourite shirtless Olympian was a notable absence Friday at the Opening Ceremonies in Beijing.
Tonga’s Pita Taufatofua, who has competed prior to now two Summer time Video games in taekwondo and took half in cross-country snowboarding on the 2018 Winter Video games in Pyeongchang, introduced earlier this week that he wouldn't be competing this 12 months.
The 38-year-old Taufatofua made a shiny entrance on the earlier video games, bearing the flag of his South Pacific nation whereas carrying solely a ta’ovala round his waist and gobs of oil on the remainder of his physique, even in freezing temperatures in South Korea 4 years in the past.
“Three Olympics in a row I've been blessed with your entire kindness,” Taufatofua posted earlier this week on Instagram. “The final two years, competitors and journey has been non-existent. Not every little thing is in our management. That stated I embrace each the great and the dangerous as a part of life, and I accomplish that with a smile.
“This time I can't be sharing the Beijing Olympic Video games with you all. However I proceed with pleasure as I put together to help all of the Olympians who've labored so arduous to characterize their nations. They're all flag-bearers, that every one stand for that voice inside that calls us all to turn out to be our highest.”
American Samoan skeleton athlete and flag bearer Nathan Crumpton paid tribute to Taufatofua in the course of the ceremonies Friday by getting into the Parade of Nations and not using a shirt.
“American Samoa holding the fort. #StrongerTogether,” Taufatofua posted on Instagram.
Taufatofua stated he's serving to with the restoration effort from the latest underwater volcanic eruption close to Tonga that led to tsunamis barreling into the island nation. He indicated, nonetheless, he hopes to take part not directly within the subsequent Summer time Video games, in Paris in 2024.
“Make no mistake, my sword is sharp and my thoughts is prepared. I'm simply getting began,” he wrote. “We've one thing up our sleeve, an thought, a feat, a dream. It lives subsequent to the inconceivable, a spot that excites me.
“Thanks all for persevering with to share this quest. Your help means every little thing. Someplace inside each certainly one of you there's an Olympian … Paris ‘we’ are coming!”
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