Paris 2024 Olympics: Surfers stoked on floating Tahitian Athlete Village
The Olympic Games Paris 2024 haven't even started and we already have an Olympic first—the first ever floating Olympic Village.
The 48 competing surfers are arriving in Tahiti, the location of the famed Teahopo’o wave where surfing will be contested. And they are loving the unique cruise ship accommodations.
Tokyo 2020 surfing silver medalist Kanoa Igarashi has shared a first look of the Aranui 5 cruise ship which serves as the floating Athlete Village.
@kanoaigarashi i think our athlete village in tahiti is better than the actual one in paris 😅 #olympics #athletevillage #surf ♬ original sound - Kanoa Igarashi
The first ever floating Olympic Village is packed with amenities
Igarashi shares a look at the on-board amenities including a 24-hour dining hall, an activity center with foosball and ping pong, a waterslide, and a stocked Olympic gift shop.
Igarashi also shows the view from his spacious cabin, compete with an over-the-water deck (those views!) and a queen-sized bed complete with an Olympic duvet.
The ship also has a tattoo parlor—another possible Olympic Village first. According to the Aranui 5 website, the ship can accomodate approximately 230 passengers in 103 cabins, with eight guest decks, a spa and a gym.
The fishing village and beaches of Teahupo’o are a short five-minute ferry ride for the athletes.
The athletes' recent arrival was marked by a Te T’amu ceremony to celebrate the local culture and heritage.
Stay tuned for more updates of life on the first ever floating Olympic Village.