2016 olympics

The Oily Tongan Olympian Returns for the Closing Ceremony to Glisten More Than All Other Athletes

Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

After two weeks of highs (Michael Phelps, Simone Biles, Simone Manuel) and lows (What the hell, Lochte?), the 2016 Olympics has come to a close. And while all endings are bittersweet, we’re ready to get off this ride down a green-diving-pool river of dreams and return to our normal, regularly scheduled television. And yet, like Dorothy leaving Oz, we can’t help but look back at those faces — or fit bodies — that participated in the Closing Ceremonies, and realize there’s one athlete we might just miss most of all: Pita Nikolas Taufatofua.

Luckily for us, and the world, the 32-year-old Tongan Taekwondo Olympian, who so deftly handled both bearing a flag for his nation and the physical advances of Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager, once again oiled up his bare chest to appear for a final dance. As the rain came down in Rio, Taufatofua glistened as a shiny rainbow of muscles onstage while Julia Michaels and Kygo performed their song  “Carry Me.” See the glory, below.

Also, here’s what he looks like wearing clothes during a competition. He didn’t take home a medal, but that should give him incentive to come back in 2020.

Oily Tongan Flag-Bearer Glistens Once More