The best surfers in the world will compete for Olympic gold on "the jaw of Hava'e": the conventions for the organization of the surfing events on the formidable wave of Teahupoo in Tahiti were signed Tuesday in Papara between the Polynesia and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Organizing Committee.
"We are going to make it an event that meets your expectations", promised Edouard Fritch, President of French Polynesia, during the signing of the three documents at 12:00 p.m. local time, with Tony Estanguet, President of Paris-2024 and representatives of State.
The first agreement relates to the installation of infrastructures on the site of Teahupoo, the second is centered on the safety shutter of the event while the last relates to the passage of the Olympic flame in French Polynesia, noted a correspondent of the AFP.
Amenities to plan
This signature confirms the choice of Teahupoo as the site of the next Olympic surfing events, despite the concerns of part of the local population who fear that the places will be denatured by the facilities necessary to host the competition.
“Since Friday, we have met all the players on the site,” assured Tony Estanguet during a press conference after the signings.
“This is a file that is progressing well (…).
Developments are necessary but most will be temporary so as not to distort the sites,” he said.
“We are a small island lost in the Pacific which is going to host the Olympic Games.
It's extraordinary (…) We had to convince the population but that's it, we're going to do it.
All eyes will be on us,” said Edouard Fritch at the same press conference.
All these eyes will be more precisely turned towards the "jaw of Hava'e", the name given by the Polynesians to the Teahupoo wave, which has fascinated as much as it has frightened surfers around the world for decades.
Incredible day of discussions and shared sports practice (canoeing, kayaking and surfing) with members of the Paris 2024 Club, as part of an Explore Terre de Jeux course!
Many thanks to the Polynesian athletes for their participation and commitment!
pic.twitter.com/qy3YoFXRAo
— Tony Estanguet - OLY (@TonyEstanguet) August 14, 2022
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"Teahupoo, it's coaxing"
"Surfing this wave means taking risks, because it digs into the reef and the risk of touching it is high", explained in July Kauli Vaast, one of the best Tahitian hopefuls, who intends to qualify for the Games.
Considered one of the most photogenic waves in the world, it offers surfers large, almost translucent tubes, like tunnels of turquoise water, essential on the professional circuit.
“Teahupoo, it's coaxing.
It's only tubes when it works well (..).
It is a spot which can be dangerous, which is scary and which contains thousands of different stories, ”confided to AFP at the beginning of August Johanne Defay, current 2nd in the world on the professional circuit.
After a remarkable debut in Tokyo in 2020, Olympic surfing could enter Teahupoo in another dimension: "The athlete who will be Olympic champion here, will be on a legendary wave", rejoiced Tony Estanguet on Tuesday.
The delegation of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Organizing Committee spent six days in Polynesia to tour the future facilities (athlete accommodation, fan zones, etc.).
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