Advertisement

Tongan Flag-Bearer Is Worried Sick At Winter Olympics

ron dicker

Pita Taufatofua, the Tongan flag bearer known for his shirtless marches in this year’s Winter Olympics’ opening ceremony and in the 2016 Summer Games, is competing in Pyeongchang, South Korea, with much more on his mind than sport.

Taufatofua said on Facebook Tuesday that he had yet to hear from family and friends after a tropical cyclone tore through his homeland.

“Things like this really put life and what’s important in life into perspective,” he wrote. “I wish I could be there right now to help.”

Cyclone Gita slammed the South Pacific country on Monday with the force of a category 4 hurricane, damaging “countless homes” and injuring dozens of people, Weather.com reported. The storm also knocked out power and water service.

He earlier sent “prayers” via Facebook as Gita bore down on the island nation.

Taufatofua, who lost in the first round of taekwondo at the 2016 Summer Olympics, is competing as a heavy underdog in cross-country skiing at the Winter Games after qualifying mostly through roller-ski events.

Also on HuffPost

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

Dancers perform "The Land of Peace" segment.
Dancers perform "The Land of Peace" segment.
A spectacular light display.
A spectacular light display.
A makeup artist applies glitter to a performer backstage.
A makeup artist applies glitter to a performer backstage.
A tiger on stilts.
A tiger on stilts.
Olympic athletes from Russia's (OAR) parade during the opening ceremony. Banned from participating as representatives of Russia due to a doping scandal, they were required to wear neutral uniforms with no country designation.
Olympic athletes from Russia's (OAR) parade during the opening ceremony. Banned from participating as representatives of Russia due to a doping scandal, they were required to wear neutral uniforms with no country designation.
Flag bearer Erin Hamlin of the United States leads her team.
Flag bearer Erin Hamlin of the United States leads her team.
Fireworks.
Fireworks.
Flag bearer Pita Taufatofua of Tonga and teammates enter the stadium.
Flag bearer Pita Taufatofua of Tonga and teammates enter the stadium.
The Jamaican bobsled team made a grand entrance, dancing as they went.
The Jamaican bobsled team made a grand entrance, dancing as they went.
More fireworks.
More fireworks.
The North Korea and South Korea Olympic teams enter together under the Korean Unification Flag. A historic moment.
The North Korea and South Korea Olympic teams enter together under the Korean Unification Flag. A historic moment.
Another performance.
Another performance.
Snowboarder Shaun White and freestyle skiier Gus Kenworthy of Team USA.
Snowboarder Shaun White and freestyle skiier Gus Kenworthy of Team USA.
More dancers.
More dancers.
Light installations.
Light installations.
The Olympic torch burns.
The Olympic torch burns.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.