'Shiny athlete' learned to go cross-country skiing on the beach

- Pita Taufatofua (34) from the warm Tonga did not make much impression at the 2016 Olympic Games as taekwondoka. As a flag bearer- shiny from the oil- the muscular sportsman made an unforgettable impression. And also in Pyeongchang, Pita knows how to surprise the viewers.

He has qualified as a cross-country skier. Remarkable, because in Tonga the average temperature is around 25 degrees.

He already knew that he wanted to participate again during the Rio Games in 2016. He decided to want to come back as a cross-country skier, according to his own words because that is the most difficult sport he could think of, he tells NOS. 'At the end of the race you see the participants collapsing from fatigue. They give everything. I wanted that too. '

Taufatofua practiced on asphalt roads. 'I also occasionally trained on the beach. Then I tied pieces of wood under my feet and ran through the sand to improve my balance. 'He started a collection campaign and moved to Germany for a short time to train.

After seven failed races in Iceland, the Tongan was able to place himself during the last qualifying match. 'I did something that no one thought possible: putting me on different sports for two consecutive games. '