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'I won't medal on Friday, but in four years someone from Tonga might' – Tongan flagbearer aiming to create history in PyeongChang

February 15, 2018

Pita Taufatofua is hoping to inspire the next generation of Pacific athletes at the Winter Olympics.

Tongan Winter Olympics flagbearer and cross-country skier Pita Taufatofua is hoping his performances in PyeongChang will inspire athletes in not just his home nation, but all across the Pacfic for future games to come.

After making the switch from taekwando, the sport that he represented Tonga in at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Taufatofua will this year be the island nations sole participant in PyeongChang, hoping his efforts serve as an example for future Olympians.

"The truth of the matter is that I've had a short time on snow, I won't medal on Friday," he said yesterday.

"But in four years someone from Tonga might, in eight years someone from the Pacific might."

"More importantly, these kids from the Pacific who are watching now, they'll have access to something they never knew existed before, and to me, that's why I'm here."

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