Paris 2024 Olympics: Stunning Opening Ceremony celebrations from other side of the world in Tahiti at surfing venue
Let the Games begin — French Polynesian style.
The 48 surfers who will surf in the sport's second Olympic Games appearance proudly marched with their flags and celebrated being part of the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony from the other side of the world in Tahiti.
Despite being 16,000km away from Paris, the Olympic spirit is alive and well on the largest island in French Polynesia.
Traditional Tahitian song and dance captivated the athletes and a large local crowd who gathered to mark the start of the Olympic Games surfing competition.
Athletes watched the local performers and then danced the Ori Tahiti.
They also participated in the sands of the world ceremony, an activity that the International Surfing Association (ISA) always undertakes, asking athletes to bring sand from their respective homelands and pouring it into a collective box to symbolise diversity and unity.
ISA president Fernando Aguerre announced during the celebration that "the competion will start tomorrow," meaning the offshore wind and swell conditions are favourable for a start on Saturday 27 July, the first day of the Games.
Shino Matsuda of Japan, sporting a wide smile, told Olympics.com: “Opening Ceremony was amazing. I could feel everyone’s energy and I’m so looking forward to starting tomorrow. I’m a little bit nervous, but also really excited. I think everything is going to be amazing and I can’t wait."
On the eve of Olympic surfing at Paris 2024
The occasion was not lost on any of the surfers who fully embraced the special morning.
Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Kanoa Igarashi, no stranger to pressure, was eager to embrace the moment and occasion.
“There’s nothing like the Opening Ceremony for the Olympics. It’s a huge honour to be here and it was so cool to see the broadcast of everyone in Paris, and we’re here in Tahiti so it’s really cool to connect with them," the Japanese surfer said. "We’re representing our country and there’s no better feeling.”
Having tasted success three years ago, Igarashi is gunning for gold at Teahupo’o.
“I had the honour of medalling in Tokyo and it was such a special feeling. It’s so crazy that although it’s the same event, it’s such a different feel," he said. "Each Olympics has such a different feel and energy. It’s a privilege to be here and I’m excited to feel those Olympic pressures again and I hope to come away with one spot better this time.”
Portugal’s Yolanda Hopkins, who finished fifth at Olympic surfing’s debut in Japan, and is back as a second-time Olympian.
“That was pretty incredible and quite emotional. I’ve never experienced that type of thing before with the beautiful Tahitian dancers and stuff, and it was incredible to be part of,” she said.
The beaty of the island is in contrast to the brutal and raw wave that is Teahupo'o, known for being a wave of consequence.
Vahine Fierro of France hoists a vessel as part of the sands of the world ceremony, an activity the International Surfing Association always undertakes before major surfing events like the competition to come on the island of Tahiti as part of Olympic Games Paris 2024.
How to watch surfing at Paris 2024
Paris 2024's surfing competition will take place over four days from 27 July to 5 August. See the full schedule here.
For more insight into the sport and its history, read here.