The viral sensation is returning for another Olympic Opening Ceremony, once again giving the people what they want.
Pita Taufatofua, also known as "The Shirtless Tongan," will be carrying the Olympic flag during the Opening Ceremony for the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.
The official Olympics account included Taufatofua in their Instagram post earlier this week highlighting the 10 flagbearers chosen for Friday's Opening Ceremony in Italy. They were selected as athletes "who embody the principles of peace, unity and solidarity that inspire the Olympic Movement."
Taufatofua, now 42, first went viral during the 2016 Rio Olympics for his shirtless physique during the Opening Ceremony when he wore his native attire while carrying the flag.
He was back again two years later, still shirtless and glistening despite the frigid weather for the 2018 Pyeongchang Opening Ceremony. That year, Taufatofua became the only Tongan to appear in the Summer and Winter Olympics when he qualified for cross-country skiing.
During the Summer Olympics, Taufatofua has competed in Taekwondo and canoeing.
This is the fourth time "The Shirtless Tongan" will carry a flag in the Olympic Opening Ceremony.
The Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics will air on NBC and stream on Peacock and NBC Olympics platforms on Friday, Feb. 6.
- Date: Feb. 6
- Venue: San Siro Stadium
- TV channels: NBC
- Streaming: Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, NBC app, NBC Sports app
Visit NBCOlympics.com/FAQ for more information on watching the Winter Olympics, including links to download the NBC, NBC Sports and Peacock apps.
What time is the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics?
Live coverage of the Opening Ceremony begins at 2 p.m. ET on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. The event is expected to last around three hours, as is typical for an Olympic Opening Ceremony.
Later that same night, viewers can watch an enhanced encore in primetime at 8 p.m. ET.
Both will air on NBC and stream on Peacock and NBC Olympics platforms.