Topless American Samoa flagbearer sizzles at the Beijing Winter Olympics
Freezing temperatures in Beijing did not stop American Samoa athlete and flagbearer Nathan Crumpton from parading in all his topless glory during the opening ceremony of the Winter Games.
The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics has officially begun with a dazzling opening ceremony held at the Bird’s Nest stadium on Feb. 4.
It was during the ceremony’s athlete’s parade when Crumpton proudly walked in the stadium topless (with torso immaculately oiled and jacked) wearing only the traditional lavalava bottoms and flip flops despite the reportedly sub-zero temperatures that evening.
Crumpton was flanked by volunteers and other delegates who donned thick puffer jackets and gloves.
The -6 degrees temperature did not stop the 36-year-old skeleton racer from making waves at the event, channeling his inner Pita Taufatofua, the Tongan Olympian “demigod” who has won the attention of the world (and the internet) in the past three Olympics as an oiled up topless sensation.
Taufatofua, who is not only a taekwondo jin but also a cross-country skier, sit out for this year’s Olympics to focus on disaster relief for Tonga following a devastating tsunami and volcano eruption that hit the archipelago.
The Tongan athlete may have missed the Winter Games but he showed support for Crumpton by tweeting the racer’s photo with the caption “American Samoa holding the fort” with the hashtag #StrongerTogether.
American Samoa holding the fort ?????? #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/g6U7rYIhCs
— Pita Taufatofua (@pitaTofua) February 4, 2022
Like the Philippines’ Asa Miller, Crumpton is the sole athlete representing the American Samoan territory in the Winter Olympics and the first to do so in the last 28 years.
"I'm honored to have qualified for the Winter Olympics and to represent American Samoa, as well as a region of the world that does not often participate in the Winter Games," Crumpton told Inside the Games.
According to his website, Crumpton, who was born in Nairobi, Kenya, wear many hats—model, photographer, athlete, TV announcer and author. He also graduated cum laude from Princeton University.
He grew up in different parts of the world—Zimbabwe, Switzerland, Australia and United States—and previously represented Team USA in international skeleton competitions. In 2019, he decided to join the American Samoa bobsled and skeleton team to honor his Polynesian heritage.
Crumpton made his Olympics debut in Tokyo, participating in the Men’s 100-meter sprint.
