Friday Footnote: Olympic Hotness, 2016

Summer Olympics, 2016 Eye-Candy:

Pita Taufatofua, Kingdom of Tonga flag-nearer

Ever since he made his appearance at the Opening Ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, last Friday, Pita Taufatofua has become a media sensation and the dream of gay men everywhere. During the Parade of Nations segment at the event, Taufatofua was the flag-bearer of the Kingdom of Tonga's banner and his striking decision to be shirtless with his body slathered in coconut oil created an international incident and his toned physique won the gold medal. His winning smile allowed him to carry-out his newfound celebrity status in style. 

He learned a month ago of his selection to carry Tonga's flag and immediately decided that he would do so wearing only his country's traditional garb of a ta'ovala (decorated cloth), ornamental waist girdle and sandals (flip-flops). He wanted to highlight his homeland's Polynesian culture and his Tongan heritage. His traditional shell and shark's tooth necklace completed his attire. 

His entrance into the Olympic Stadium caused the crowd to gasp and the camera's to focus on himself and his team-mates who followed. Pita Taufatofua is scheduled to appear next before the attendees as he competes in Taekwondo on August 19. Within a matter of hours, the 32-year old has become a media darling and the face to personify this summer's Olympics. 

In the USA, he and his Kingdom's flag, as well as his proportioned torso, were featured on the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) Today Show. In that interview, he shared some of his struggles on his journey to the Olympics in general and to Rio de Janeiro in particular. He had to raise more than $9,000 USD in order to make it to the Opening Ceremony.

The third-eldest child of seven, Pita was born in Australia to a British/Australian mother and a Tongan father. His family returned to Tonga while he was still a baby. He grew up there and that's where his Olympic dream began. 

His representation of the Kingdom of Tonga is already historic before he even faces competition. Pita is the first-ever Tongan to compete in taekwondo in an Olympic event. 

On behalf of Guys Without Boxers: Bare With Pride, I wish him the best in his competition. By the way, he is comfortable with being socially bare. Traditionally, Tongans skinny-dip when swimming.

Peace! Get naked. Enjoy!

Bare With Pride