There are so many reasons to watch the Olympics: it represents the coming together of so many countries; it allows the best of the best to do what they do on a global stage; for some it spurs national pride. Well, and it gives people a new group of individuals to thirst after.
Though the Olympics has always had the ability to get the saliva glands going, this was seemingly brought to new heights in 2016 when Pita Taufatofua, a flag bearer for Tonga, entered the Opening Ceremony. He went viral for that Rio de Janeiro appearance, not for his taekwondo abilities, but for wrapping a traditional Tongan taʻovala around his waist and oiling up. He repeated the stunt for the 2018 Winter Olympics as well where he competed in cross-country skiing.
But he isn't the only one. Throughout the past few years, we've spotted three other shirtless flag bearers at the ceremonies for the Olympics. Check out all their appearances below.
Josateki Naulu for Fiji at the 2012 London Olympics
Pita Taufatofua for Tonga at the 2016 Rio Olympics
Pita Taufatofua for Tonga at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics
Pita Taufatofua for Tonga at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics
Riilio Rii for Vanuatu at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics
Nathan Crumpton for American Samoa at 2022 Beijing Olympics
A soccer ball on the field.Tony Quinn/Shutterstock
Two players on the soccer field.Anton Vierietin/Shutterstock
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Queer Unrivaled players Paige Bueckers, Alyssa Thomas, and Courtney Williams with Natisha Hiedeman.
Lesbian and sapphic athletes celebrating with their partners.Footage still via Instagram @redrosesrugby; Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images; Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
