Tongan flagbearer Pita Taufatofua, who garnered worldwide attention when he carried the Tongan flag oiled up and shirtless at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Rio Olympics, has qualified for next month's Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.
The former taekwondo athlete switched codes to cross-country skiing following a disappointing first roundexit in Rio, and has become Tonga's first-ever skiier to qualify for the Winter Olympics.
"After Rio I decided to find the hardest sport possible because I needed a new challenge," he said.
"You've got to put your body through something really challenging and the goal was to do it in one year - and we did it in one year!"
The 34-year-old's admission into the tournament came down to the final race of his qualification campaign in Iceland.
