Tonga at the 2018 Winter Olympics

Tonga took part in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, from February 9 to February 25, 2018. This was Tonga's second time joining the Winter Olympics, after first appearing in the previous Games.

The country was represented by just one athlete, cross-country skier Pita Taufatofua. He carried Tonga's flag during both the opening and closing ceremonies. Although he didn't win a medal, Tonga still made its mark at the Winter Olympics.

Background

The Tonga Sports Association and National Olympic Committee became part of the International Olympic Committee in 1984. Tonga first joined the Olympics at the 1984 Summer Olympics. The country first appeared in the Winter Olympics during the previous edition in 2014, and the 2018 Games were its second time joining in.

The 2018 Winter Olympics happened in Pyeongchang, South Korea, from February 9 to February 25, 2018. Tonga had just one athlete, cross-country skier Pita Taufatofua, who carried the country’s flag during the opening and closing ceremonies. Pita walked into the Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium without a shirt, covered in coconut oil, and wearing a traditional ta'ovala (a special Tongan mat). Tonga did not win any medals and still hadn’t won a Winter Olympic medal up to that point.

Competitors

The Tongan team had only one athlete competing in the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Cross-country skiing

Main articles: Cross-country skiing at the 2018 Winter Olympics – Qualification and Cross-country skiing at the 2018 Winter Olympics

Tonga had one male athlete, Pita Taufatofua, who could race in the men's 15 km classical distance event. This was his second time in the Olympics after he competed in Taekwondo at the 2016 Summer Olympics.

The main race happened on February 16, 2018, at the Alpensia Cross-Country Skiing Centre. Taufatofua finished the 15 km (9.3 mi) course in 56 minutes and 41.1 seconds, placing 114th out of 119 racers.