The Tonga Sports Association and National Olympic Committee was recognized by the International Olympic Committee on 1 January 1984. The Kingdom made its Olympic debut at the 1984 Summer Olympics, and has appeared at every Summer Olympic Games since then. These Sochi Olympics were the Kingdom's debut at the Winter Olympic Games. The 2014 Winter Olympics were held from 7–23 February 2014; a total of 2,780 athletes representing 88 National Olympic Committees took part. Bruno Banani, a luger, was the only athlete Tonga sent to Sochi. Banani was selected as the flag bearer for both the opening ceremony and closing ceremony.