Tongan flag bearer's shock new Olympic goal

Tonga's famous Olympic flag bearer couldn't win a medal to put around his oiled chest in Rio earlier this year, but he hasn't let his dream die.

Pita Taufatofua has announced he is aiming to go to the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang as Tonga's first male cross-country skier.

The Australian-born athlete was already the first Tongan to compete in taekwondo when he qualified for the event at the 2016 Summer Olympics.

With a profile behind him thanks to his exploits at the opening ceremony, Taufatofua wants his fans to follow his progress.

"I spent my whole life chasing my Olympic dream, and that was to become an Olympian in 2016," he told the Olympic Channel video.

"I'm going to be taking my Olympic dream one step further, and I'm going to be representing Tonga in cross-country skiing.

"But first I've got to get across there, I've got to qualify. My goal is to let people see if I can do it, they can do it. The goal is to hunt down that Olympic medal at the 2018 Olympics."

The island nation took seven athletes to Rio, its largest contingent since the 1984 Games.

Tonga's first appearance at the Winter Olympics came at Sochi in 2012, and it wasn't without its controversy.

Luge competitor Bruno Banani had changed his name - he was born Fuahea Semi - to reflect a personal sponsorship with a German underwear company.