“Athletes Don’t Want To Go to Training”: As Paris Olympics 2024 Nears, Olympian Gets Candid on Preparations

A Tongan multi-sport athlete, known for his captivating presence at Olympic ceremonies, has his sights set on a new endeavour: Paris 2024. A stage he envisions beneath the iconic Eiffel Tower, flag in hand, amid the city of love is the dream. His anticipation isn’t solely for the event itself but for a New Year’s resolution—a first kiss under the majestic landmark, a moment he eagerly awaits, uncertain of who it might be with but determined to be there.

He’s yet to pick between taekwondo (his past events) or kayak for this unique feat, aspiring to be among the first to excel in three entirely dissimilar Olympic sports. Taufatofua recently shared his gradual approach and the importance of small habits in his journey, emphasizing his Olympic aspirations.

A versatile olympian

Having marked his presence in three Olympic Games: Rio 2016 for taekwondo, PyeongChang 2018 for cross-country skiing, and Tokyo 2020 for taekwondo once more, Taufatofua is a man of many talents. He is now setting his sights on including kayaking in his diverse Olympic repertoire. In addition to his ambitions, he’s deeply involved in coaching Tonga’s taekwondo team, preparing them for the upcoming Paris 2024 Games. Amidst his preparation for his fourth Olympic journey, Taufatofua shared insights into his aspirations and the challenges he’s ready to confront to transform his New Year’s resolution into a tangible reality.

From the spectacle of his distinctive ceremonial appearances to the bone-chilling winters of past Games, Taufatofua’s presence has transcended mere participation. Draped in tradition, adorned with oil, and clutching the Tongan flag, he’s etched his mark in Olympic lore. However, as Paris beckons with its promise of a more temperate climate and an unconventional Olympic Ceremony, Taufatofua recognizes the challenges ahead. “Olympic athletes don’t want to go to training as much as people think that they want to go to training,” he said. “If I have to do two or maybe three sessions a day, it’s not that every one of those sessions is going to be this big ball of excitement. But then what we do is we create small habits.”

Pita Taufatofua’s Olympics training odyssey

In Taufatofua’s relentless pursuit of his Parisian dream, ambition marks the journey not just by a finely honed regimen. Juggling between two sports demands a meticulous approach—a daily grind punctuated by strength and conditioning sessions tailored to the imminent challenges. His training, a seamless fusion of dedication and adaptability, mirrors the cycles of his sporting goals.

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However, he admits that not all parts of this journey are full of endless excitement. He uses his own experiences and the smart things written in a book to inspire people, promoting idea of trying small tasks first and making habits. In his words.“I’ve been trying to go for a five-kilometre run for the last month and I haven’t been able to do it.” He further added, ‘Just put your shoes next to your bed. Just iron your T-shirt that you’re going to run in.’ Here’s hoping he makes it good on his resolution.

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