Transcript
Pita Taufatofua was the talk of the internet after the cameras zoomed in on his coconut-oiled body at the Maracana Stadium. He led out the Tongan delegation wearing a traditional Tupenu wrap from the waist down and a lot of coconut oil everywhere else. The shimmering sight of the Oceania gold medallist led to a surge of attention online and suggestions the 32 year old "broke the internet." Team Tonga Chef de Mission Michael Bloomfield admits the global reaction took them by surprise.
"Obviously we came here for the sports but the reactions from the opening ceremony and what Pita wore has been unexpected but pleasantly unexpected. It's hopefully put our little country on the map and hopefully there will be some positive outcomes as a result of the opening ceremony."
Taufatofua has made a string of media appearances in recent days and even managed a selfie with Brazilian supermodel Adriana Lima after visiting the set of America's Today Show. But Michael Bloomfield says there is some concern the attention could prove a distraction.
"There is a little bit of a concern and I've raised it in a team meeting - we hope that it doesn't affect him majorly. He's a mature young man, down to earth and he's taking it in his stride some of those challenges, which he couldn't stop anyway. It's already tapering down, together with his coach's involvement, in other non-sport aspects of the game and get back to focus."
Arne Jensen also made headlines this week by wearing his tupenu during his opening match in the men's archery competition. The rules state that athletes are meant to shoot in shorts but the 18 year old wanted to show the world how proud he is to be from Tonga and the judges agreed to the request.
"It gives you a bit of a boost to know, to actually feel the tradition and the culture. The last couple of days I was thinking of it and I tried it on and I shot fine in it with the wind but it was mainly just to show how proud we are to be Tongan, the team in general...there's a line called "Tongan Pride"...it had to show show some of my culture, some of what we actually have in Tonga."
Adding to the occasion, the Olympic newcomer pushed his opponent, world number five Sjef Van Den Berg from the Netherlands right to the end.
"I can walk off the line saying I shot the best I could against an amazing archer. He finished the match with a ten when he needed a ten...that really shows some classy shooting. Not many archers can make that shot and with the amount of pressure on his shoulders because in all honesty I had nothing to lose. He had everything to lose and to be able to come back in it with that last arrow and just finish it off is very impressive. There's no shame in losing to an archer who is honestly just better on the day."
Arne Jensen says his role now is as the official team cheerleader for the rest of the Games. Tonga has four more athletes left to compete, rounded off by their medal hope Pita Taufatofua. The talk of the Games will be on display again next weekend in the over 80kg taekwondo division...minus the coconut oil.
