Why Olympic surfing events are in Tahiti, thousands of miles from Paris
5 months ago

Why Olympic surfing events are in Tahiti, thousands of miles from Paris

NPR  

Why Olympic surfing events are in Tahiti, thousands of miles from Paris toggle caption Manea Fabisch/Pool/AFP via Getty Images NPR is in Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics. Sponsor Message But Tahiti is the farthest of this year’s 35 venues — and the farthest Olympic competition to be held outside of a host city since 1956, when Australia’s equine quarantine policies required the Melbourne Olympics to hold equestrian events in Stockholm, Sweden. Paris officials say the decision to hold surfing competitions at Teahupo’o aligns with their goal to “spread the Games across France.” “It offers an opportunity to engage French overseas territories and their communities in the Olympic Games — for the first time in history — while showcasing France’s rich and diverse heritage,” they added. Teahupo'o is known for its monstrous waves toggle caption Ben Thouard/Pool/Getty Images Tahiti won the right to host the surfing competition way back in 2020 — before surfing itself even made its Olympic debut in Tokyo in 2021 — beating out four other sites in mainland France.

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History of this topic

Paris 2024 Olympics review: A local champion, perfect days, viral moment and drama as surfing delivers in Tahiti
4 months, 1 week ago

Paris 2024 Olympics review: A local champion, perfect days, viral moment and drama as surfing delivers in Tahiti

The Hindu  

A local champion, days of perfect surf, a viral moment and plenty of high sporting drama - the decision by Paris 2024 to hold the Olympic surfing competition in Tahiti delivered in spades from the charming lagoon-side village of Teahupo’o. Kauli Vaast, who lives minutes from the dangerous reef break, surfed a near perfect final to claim the gold medal …

Tahiti’s rahui tradition has helped revive ecosystems — including near the Olympics surfing venue
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Tahiti’s rahui tradition has helped revive ecosystems — including near the Olympics surfing venue

Associated Press  

TIAHURA, Tahiti — During their days on Tahiti’s turquoise ocean some years ago, fishers noticed their catches — and the fish inside — were getting smaller. The traditional conservation method of regulating human activity to help replenish and protect maritime ecosystems resources is being revived and showing results in Tahiti, including the area near the Paris Olympics surfing venue. There …

Whale breach seen during Paris Olympics surfing semifinal competition in Tahiti
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Whale breach seen during Paris Olympics surfing semifinal competition in Tahiti

Associated Press  

TEAHUPO’O, Tahiti — With all eyes on the ocean during the final day of the Paris Olympics surfing competition in Tahiti on Monday afternoon, a surprise guest made an appearance: a whale. A safe distance from athletes Tatiana Weston-Webb from Brazil and Brisa Hennessy of Costa Rica— who were competing in a semifinal match— the whale breached and gave spectators …

Final heats of Paris Olympics surfing competition postponed in Tahiti in the wait for bigger waves
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Final heats of Paris Olympics surfing competition postponed in Tahiti in the wait for bigger waves

Associated Press  

TEAHUPO’O, Tahiti — The final heats of the Paris Olympics surfing competition were postponed through Sunday afternoon in Tahiti because of unfavorable conditions, making Monday the likely last day of competition. Throughout the competition, surf forecasters have watched for swells that could bring the best waves for the final day of the surfing competition, which must conclude by Monday. The …

Defending women’s champion loses as Olympic surfing competition resumes with tricky Tahiti swells
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Defending women’s champion loses as Olympic surfing competition resumes with tricky Tahiti swells

Associated Press  

TEAHUPO’O, Tahiti — Defending Olympic women’s surfing champion Clarissa Moore of the United States was beaten in the Paris Games quarterfinals on Thursday as competition resumed in Tahiti after two days of unfavorable conditions had put the event on hold. “I’m going to give myself some time to just take a break.” The women’s third-round heats — which had been …

Tahiti’s youth surf culture gets a boost as island hosts the Paris Olympics
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Tahiti’s youth surf culture gets a boost as island hosts the Paris Olympics

Associated Press  

TEAHUPO’O, Tahiti — As the heavy, barrel-shaped waves of Teahupo’o, Tahiti — where the Paris Olympics surfing competition is being held — crashed in the distance, another, smaller surf session was underway just off the shore. Partly driven by the lack of resources he had when starting out and then finding success in his own career, Bourez said he began …

Paris Olympics surfing heats postponed for second day in Tahiti due to unfavorable conditions
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Paris Olympics surfing heats postponed for second day in Tahiti due to unfavorable conditions

Associated Press  

TEAHUPO’O, Tahiti — Heats of the Paris Olympics surfing competition were postponed through Wednesday afternoon in Tahiti because of unfavorable conditions. Standing in a circle on shore, officials deliberated whether or not to go ahead on Wednesday morning after returning from a boat ride to the competition’s surfing area. The surf forecast is the biggest determinant of when the Paris …

A photographer captured the perfect shot of an Olympic surfer's record-breaking ride
4 months, 3 weeks ago

A photographer captured the perfect shot of an Olympic surfer's record-breaking ride

NPR  

A photographer captured the perfect shot of an Olympic surfer's record-breaking ride toggle caption Jerome Brouillett/AFP/Getty Images NPR is in Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics. When AFP photographer Jerome Brouillet set out to shoot the third day of the Olympic Games’ surfing competition in Tahiti on Monday, he couldn’t have predicted that he’d capture one of the most iconic …

Paris Olympics surfing heats postponed through Tuesday in Tahiti due to unfavorable conditions
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Paris Olympics surfing heats postponed through Tuesday in Tahiti due to unfavorable conditions

Associated Press  

TEAHUPO’O, Tahiti — The next heats of the Paris Olympics surfing competition were postponed through Tuesday afternoon in Tahiti, as strong winds and sheets of rain whipped through the surfing venue, contributing to unfavorable surfing conditions. Surf forecasting website Surfline estimated that the surf will be large on Tuesday and Wednesday, but onshore winds could mean “disorganized and potentially out …

Why is the Paris Olympics' surfing being held in Tahiti and what is the 'pile of skulls'?
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Why is the Paris Olympics' surfing being held in Tahiti and what is the 'pile of skulls'?

ABC  

Australia is looking like it could add to its growing medal tally in the next couple of days, with Jack Robinson joining Ethan Ewing in an all-Aussie quarterfinal in the Paris Olympics surfing. The legendary wave ‘at the end of the road’ Located on the lush mountainous south-western coast of Tahiti, Teahupo'o is often referred to as "the end of …

Giant barrels and steady swells for men’s third day of Paris Olympics surfing competition in Tahiti
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Giant barrels and steady swells for men’s third day of Paris Olympics surfing competition in Tahiti

Associated Press  

TEAHUPO’O, Tahiti — With the ceremonial blow of a conch shell and blare of a judge’s horn, the third day of the Paris Olympics surfing competition in Tahiti began on Monday with the men’s surfers going head-to-head, some reaching the end of the road in their quest for gold. Stunning waves and steady swells in the morning heats brought a …

It’s called place of skulls. It’s the most terrifying venue in Olympic history
4 months, 3 weeks ago

It’s called place of skulls. It’s the most terrifying venue in Olympic history

Live Mint  

Before Olympic surfers actually see the Teahupo’o wave arrive, in those final pristine moments of calm before all hell breaks loose, they will hear it coming. “It’s not the time to be like, ‘Oh, God…I don’t know if this is going to work out for me,’" says Jessi Miley-Dyer, a pro surfer and Commissioner for the World Surf League. “You’ve …

Jubilation and disappointment seen on shore as Paris Olympics surfing eliminations begin in Tahiti
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Jubilation and disappointment seen on shore as Paris Olympics surfing eliminations begin in Tahiti

Associated Press  

TEAHUPO’O, Tahiti — Contrasting reactions of jubilation and disappointment were seen on the faces of surfers coming ashore after their heats Sunday, as the elimination rounds commenced in the Paris Olympics surfing competition in Tahiti. “It’s make or break for all the athletes.” For the second day of competition, the men’s and women’s competitors had eight heats of two surfers, …

Tahiti’s waves are a matter of ‘life or death’ for Olympic surfers
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Tahiti’s waves are a matter of ‘life or death’ for Olympic surfers

NPR  

Tahiti’s waves are a matter of ‘life or death’ for Olympic surfers toggle caption Ben Thouard/POOL AFP NPR is in Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics. This is the second Olympics to feature surfing — with Hopkins and others beginning on the weekend — but it’s the first time competitors are riding waves that are a matter of “life or …

Olympic surfers sleep on a cruise ship in Tahiti, a first for the Games
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Olympic surfers sleep on a cruise ship in Tahiti, a first for the Games

Associated Press  

TEAHUPO’O, Tahiti — Cardboard beds might be Paris’ solution to providing athletes a place to sleep for the 2024 Olympics. “It’s unusual, but they seem to like it.” While media have been restricted from boarding the ship, athletes have shared photos and video on their social media that offer a glimpse into what the Olympics say is the first-ever floating …

Surf’s up! Paris Olympics surfing competition commences in Tahiti, with wave rides and wipe outs
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Surf’s up! Paris Olympics surfing competition commences in Tahiti, with wave rides and wipe outs

Associated Press  

TEAHUPO’O, Tahiti — Surfers rode through and wiped out on barrel-shaped waves in their quest for gold during the first day of the Paris Olympics surfing competition in Tahiti on Saturday, with some of the biggest names in the sport side-by-side on their boards in the ocean. “As a competitor you feel like there’s not enough space for three people …

Why the Olympic surfing venue is 16,000km away from Paris
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Why the Olympic surfing venue is 16,000km away from Paris

Al Jazeera  

Teahupo’o on the island of Tahiti in the territory of French Polynesia is home to ‘the heaviest’, ‘most perfect’ waves in the world. McKenna has spent the past 35 years photographing the world’s best surfers on the world’s best waves but, he says, “There is nowhere else like Teahupo’o. Even if the waves are massive, the channel is flat.” There …

Singing, ceremonies and straw hats: Olympics opening ceremony in Tahiti centers Polynesian culture
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Singing, ceremonies and straw hats: Olympics opening ceremony in Tahiti centers Polynesian culture

Associated Press  

PAPARA, Tahiti — Tahitian dancers in palm-leaf skirts mingled with Olympic surfers, locals and tourists as the opening ceremony for the Summer Games commenced in French Polynesia on Friday morning, some 10,000 miles away from the main ceremony in Paris. “The people of Tahiti, we are all enchanted to have these Olympics games here and to welcome all our friends …

Why is Olympic surfing taking place in Tahiti – 9,900 miles from Paris?
4 months, 4 weeks ago

Why is Olympic surfing taking place in Tahiti – 9,900 miles from Paris?

The Independent  

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. It’s inspiring.” …

Surfers, staff and locals make final preparations in Tahiti before the Paris Olympics begin
5 months ago

Surfers, staff and locals make final preparations in Tahiti before the Paris Olympics begin

Associated Press  

TEAHUPO’O, Tahiti — From wiping out on waves to building homemade speed bumps on local dirt roads, surfers, residents and Olympic workers across Tahiti, French Polynesia, are using the final days before the start of the Paris Olympics to brace themselves— and the island— for the upcoming surfing competition. Throughout the week, competitors were seen paddling out to the world-famous …

Most picturesque Olympics ever? Paris venues will offer ‘phenomenal backdrop’
5 months ago

Most picturesque Olympics ever? Paris venues will offer ‘phenomenal backdrop’

LA Times  

Throngs of tourists flocking to the Eiffel Tower on a warm, humid afternoon cannot help but notice the 2024 Summer Olympics are close at hand. “Paris has got that phenomenal backdrop.” The venues themselves will be stars during the coming weeks of competition as organizers hope to showcase the Games on a made-for-television stage unlike anywhere else in the world. …

The wave ‘at the end of the road': A look at the unique features of the Olympic Games surf spot
5 months, 1 week ago

The wave ‘at the end of the road': A look at the unique features of the Olympic Games surf spot

Associated Press  

This month some of the world’s best surfers will travel to Tahiti, French Polynesia, to compete for Olympic gold on what is known as one of the heaviest waves in the world. Called Teahupo’o, the wave has unique properties that make it difficult to ride, having claimed the life of at least one surfer. The legendary wave ‘at the end …

Australia's Paris Olympics team of four small-town surfers ready for big stage of Tahiti
5 months, 1 week ago

Australia's Paris Olympics team of four small-town surfers ready for big stage of Tahiti

ABC  

It's a little-known fact that all four Australian surfers competing at the upcoming Paris Olympics are from regional areas, underlying the sport's connection to little towns with big surf breaks. "If it's a small town that you're from there's still really good surfers because the waves are pretty good everywhere in Australia, so I think that has a lot to …

Paris Olympics: What to know and who to watch during the surfing competition
5 months, 1 week ago

Paris Olympics: What to know and who to watch during the surfing competition

Associated Press  

A roadmap to follow for the surfing competition at the Paris Olympics: Athletes to Watch —Carissa Moore, United States: The Olympic and five-time world champion has announced she’s stepping away from top-tier competitive surfing after the Paris Games. —Filipe Toledo, Brazil: The two-time World Surf League champion qualified to participate in the Games this year but after a poor showing …

Paris is aiming for the most sustainable Olympics yet. Organizers acknowledge the plan isn’t perfect
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Paris is aiming for the most sustainable Olympics yet. Organizers acknowledge the plan isn’t perfect

Associated Press  

PARIS — Of all the decisions Paris Olympics organizers made about where to hold each sport, sending surfing competitions to the other side of the world — in the Pacific waters of Tahiti — provoked the strongest reactions. Tahiti’s selection provides a window into Games organizers’ approach to hitting their goal of reducing emissions, the driver of climate change. Rose …

Surfers get ‘best waves of our lives’ at dress rehearsal for Olympic venue in Tahiti
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Surfers get ‘best waves of our lives’ at dress rehearsal for Olympic venue in Tahiti

Associated Press  

After days of barreling along the huge waves of Tahiti’s island paradise, French Polynesian surfer Vahine Fierro has even more reason to look forward to this summer’s Olympics. Fierro and Italo Ferreira of Brazil won the World Surf League Championship Tour event in Teahupoʻo on Tahiti this week as surfers got a taste of the tropical venue that will host …

Hundreds are set to descend on Tahiti for Olympic surfing. Can locals protect their way of life?
10 months ago

Hundreds are set to descend on Tahiti for Olympic surfing. Can locals protect their way of life?

Associated Press  

TEAHUPO’O, French Polynesia — Peva Levy said he felt a powerful, natural energy known as “mana” when he surfed Teahupo’o’s waves on a piece of plywood for the first time, rushing down a crumbling white surf in front of an untouched volcanic beach several years before the steady streams of surfers started arriving when the village got its first asphalt …

New tower at surfing venue in Tahiti spurring more blowback against Paris Olympic organizers
1 year ago

New tower at surfing venue in Tahiti spurring more blowback against Paris Olympic organizers

Associated Press  

SAINT-DENIS, France — Organizers of the Paris Olympics said Wednesday that building work will continue on a new tower for judges and TV cameras at the surfing venue in Tahiti despite the sport’s governing body saying it no longer supports the controversial project. Chief Paris Games organizer Tony Estanguet noted Wednesday that the Tahitian government decided earlier this month to …

Work to resume at Tahiti’s legendary Olympic surfing site after uproar over damage to coral reef
1 year ago

Work to resume at Tahiti’s legendary Olympic surfing site after uproar over damage to coral reef

Associated Press  

PARIS — Organizers of the Paris Olympics say work will resume this week to prepare the surfing venue in Tahiti, after an uproar over damage to a coral reef put efforts on hold. Tony Estanguet, head of the Paris Olympics organizing committee, said Monday that preparations at Teahupo’o will start again this week. The resumption comes after the president of …

Paris 2024 chief pledges to find solutions to keep Olympic surfing in Tahiti after coral damage
1 year ago

Paris 2024 chief pledges to find solutions to keep Olympic surfing in Tahiti after coral damage

Associated Press  

The Paris 2024 organizing committee president said Thursday he still wants the surfing competition at next year’s Olympics to take place in Tahiti despite the controversy surrounding the construction of the judging tower at the site, where coral has been damaged. Speaking to local media Polynesie La Premiere, Tony Estanguet said he’s going to pour “all energy” to keep the …

The surfing venue for the Paris Olympics is on the other side of the world but could steal the show
1 year ago

The surfing venue for the Paris Olympics is on the other side of the world but could steal the show

Associated Press  

PARIS — The giant waves form in the storm belts of the Southern Ocean, off Antarctica, where whales roam. “Just the most perfect wave in the world,” says Vaast, who hopes the island’s legendary surfing conditions are his ticket to a gold medal. The 21-year-old is among athletes qualified for the Olympic surfing competition that will be held next July …

The surfing venue for the Paris Olympics is on the other side of the world but could steal the show
1 year ago

The surfing venue for the Paris Olympics is on the other side of the world but could steal the show

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Just the most perfect wave …

The Paris Olympics scales back design of a new surf tower in Tahiti after criticism from locals
1 year, 1 month ago

The Paris Olympics scales back design of a new surf tower in Tahiti after criticism from locals

Associated Press  

LE PECQ, France — Organizers of next year’s Paris Olympics are scaling back the metal tower they plan to build for judges and television cameras at the picture-perfect surfing venue in Tahiti. “It’s a heritage of our ancestors that we need to preserve.” In announcing revised plans Friday for what they called “a leaner, smaller tower,” Olympic organizers said the …

Paris 2024 Olympics environmental promises come unstuck on famous Tahiti reef
1 year, 1 month ago

Paris 2024 Olympics environmental promises come unstuck on famous Tahiti reef

ABC  

France's commitment to making the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games the most environmentally friendly on record has hit a snag. Key points: The Paris 2024 Surfing Olympics competition will take place at Teahupo'o in Tahiti Locals are protesting the construction of an aluminium tower set to be built on the reef Pro surfer Matahi Drollet says the tower could …

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