Milan-Cortina clinched the 2026 Winter Olympics hosting rights after a decisive vote at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) session held at San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy. This marks a historic win for the smallest dual-city bid in Olympic history, surpassing Stockholm-Are and injecting fresh excitement into the proceedings.
Pita Taufatofua’s Emotional Comeback After 8 Years
Pita Taufatofua, the iconic Tongan flag bearer known as the ‘Tongan muscle man’ for his oiled, bare-chested appearances, made a poignant return. Famous from the Rio 2016, PyeongChang 2018, and Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where he carried the flag at openings and participated in taekwondo and CrossFit demonstrations, Taufatofua entered the session carrying the Olympic flag.
Unlike his signature shirtless displays, he appeared in a suit this time, delivering his presentation with visible emotion—tears welling up. In 2018, during the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, an injury hampered his taekwondo performance despite high expectations. He reflected, “Couldn’t even beat PyeongChang this time,” but powered through without facing top rivals.
Now, eight years on, Taufatofua’s reappearance stirred widespread attention, highlighting his enduring Olympic spirit.
Star-Studded Presentation Lineup
Taufatofua joined an elite group of athletes in the Milan-Cortina bid showcase. Marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya, refugee team trailblazer and first Olympic medalist Cindy Ngamba, and Brazilian gymnast Rebecca Andrade, with six Olympic medals, all contributed to the compelling display.
Organizing committee members emphasized, “The selected Olympic flag bearers for the Milan-Cortina joint Olympics embody citizen participation, resilience, peace, and global responsibility through their stories. They convey our vision and inspire people worldwide.”
