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Winter Olympics: Topless Tongan's secret weapon vs freezing cold? Coconut oil

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Agence France-Presse

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/02/10/_olympics-2018-opening.jpg"/><figcaption>While other athletes either skipped Friday&#x27;s sub-zero ceremony, or made sure they wrapped up warm -- Team USA had battery-powered, heated jackets -- Pita Taufatofua just needed his coconut oil. Phil Noble, Reuters</figcaption></figure></div>The Tongan flag-bearer&#x27;s secret has been revealed: it was coconut oil that kept him warm when he paraded half-naked at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony.Pita Taufatofua braved bitter cold to go topless at the ceremony, where real-feel temperatures were down at minus 10 degrees Celsius.But while many wondered how he could march in only a traditional skirt and sandals without getting frostbite, the answer lies in the oil he had liberally applied to his torso.&quot;Pita secretly brought his tiny bottle of coconut oil in his pocket,&quot; Louise Waterhouse, Tonga&#x27;s Honorary Consul in Sydney, told the Matangi Tonga Online website.&quot;And just before Tonga&#x27;s marching time, when the march organizers saw what Pita was doing, they were then so helpful and even gave him a little side room to keep warm immediately before the entrance to the stadium.&quot;Coconut oil is, apparently, a traditional Tongan remedy to ward off cold. Taufatofua was also heavily greased up when he appeared similarly undressed at the Rio 2016 Olympics opening ceremony, causing a major stir online -- and he again became a global sensation with his latest antics.While other athletes either skipped Friday&#x27;s sub-zero ceremony, or made sure they wrapped up warm -- Team USA had battery-powered, heated jackets -- Taufatofua just needed his coconut oil.&quot;Pita&#x27;s honorary coach Thomas Jacob had his jacket in his back pack -- ready to put on in the stand,&quot; said Waterhouse, who is supporting Team Tonga in Pyeongchang. &quot;But Pita said to me afterwards at the athletes village: &#x27;I wasn&#x27;t cold walking -- the coconut oil kept me warm. It was only once I was seated that I became cold,&#x27;&quot; she added.&quot;He is absolutely fine and naturally chuffed that he could pull off his coup again and so proud to do it for Tonga. He has again put Tonga on the world map.&quot;Taufatofua competed in taekwondo in Rio, before switching to cross-country and qualifying for Pyeongchang -- after a journey which included training with planks strapped to his feet in sweltering Australian heat.For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com">ABS-CBN Sports website.</a>

Pita Taufatofua braved bitter cold to go topless at the ceremony, where real-feel temperatures were down at minus 10 degrees Celsius.

Pita Taufatofua braved bitter cold to go topless at the ceremony, where real-feel temperatures were down at minus 10 degrees Celsius.