Nestled in the heart of the Pacific over 15,700 km from metropolitan France, the five archipelagos that make up French Polynesia are brimming with natural treasures. The visit of the Olympic torch to the Taiarapu To'o'ā O Te Rā surf spot in Teahupoo will be a dress rehersal for when the site hosts the surfing competition during the Olympic Games. It will then head north-west to Te Pou o Teva, which groups Teva I Uta and Papara.

A bit further east, Taiarapu Hiti'a O Te Rā also has a great deal of jaw-dropping landscapes and fine-sand beaches in store. The next stop will be Nā Mano e Piti, where the communes of Paea and Puna'auia are located. The Olympic torch will also set course for Hitia'a O Te Rā, Papenoo, further north, which boasts a black-sand beach, a surf spot, and wild valleys. Next up will be 'Ura Nui i te Ra 'i Ātea, the area of Mahina, renowned for its iconic Point Venus and the commune of Arue. In 1789, this iconic part of the island was the scene of the mutiny on the Bounty, a famous act in Polynesian history. The torch will also go to Puna'auia, where the Tahiti Museum can be found. The final leg of the day will take it from Pīra'e to the capital of the island: Pape'ete.

Celebrations in Pape'ete

Pape'ete is the economic and administraive hub of French Polynesia. The city—home to roughly 50 per cent of all people living in French Polynesia—is also packed with sports venues. To make use of their abundant sports facilities, the local government has several schemes in place to encourage its inhabitants to exercise on a regular basis.

The rest of the celebrations will take place in the capital of Tahiti. Parc Aorai Tini Hau, a public park in Pirae where families like to relax, will be the starting point for the Olympic torch. The next stop will be Place Vai'ete, on the seafront. The torch will then head to the Paofai Gardens: a 4-hectare green space located on the edge of the ocean. It will then go to the Willy Bambridge Stadium, a multi-sport venue inaugurated in the late 1960s with a capacity of 1,500. From there, it will advance to the Place de To'ata. This show venue, which hosts many sports and cultural events in Polynesia, will set the scene for the end-of-day celebrations. Thousands of Polynesians will watch on as the cauldron is lit at the end of the last relay.