Tonga's Viral Shirtless Flag Bearer Returns for 2026 Olympics

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Nearly 10 years after Tonga's flag bearer first went viral for his oiled-up, shirtless appearance at the Olympics, Pita Taufatofua is set to carry the Olympic flag during the 2026 Winter Games Opening Ceremony. However, it's unclear if he will continue his now-famous tradition of going shirtless.

Why it matters

Taufatofua's shirtless flag bearing has become an iconic Olympic moment, capturing global attention and sparking discussion around cultural representation and self-expression at the Games. His return will likely generate significant buzz and speculation around whether he'll stick to his signature look.

The details

Taufatofua first became a global sensation for being shirtless and oiled-up during the 2016 Rio Olympics Opening Ceremony, then again at the freezing cold 2018 Winter Olympics and the Tokyo Olympics. While he won't be competing at the 2026 Winter Games, he has been announced as one of the athletes who will carry the Olympic flag during the Opening Ceremony.

• Taufatofua first went viral for his shirtless appearance at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
• He repeated the shirtless look at the 2018 Winter Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
• It was announced this week that Taufatofua will carry the Olympic flag at the 2026 Winter Games Opening Ceremony.

What’s next

It remains to be seen whether Taufatofua will continue his shirtless tradition at the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony.