The 2024 Summer Olympics kicked off with a spectacular opening ceremony in Paris, the world’s fashion capital. This year’s Games are particularly notable as, for the first time in 68 years, an Olympic event is taking place 15,771 kilometers (9,800 miles) away from the host city. The surfing competition will be held in Teahupo’o, a quaint village on the French Polynesian island of Tahiti, renowned for its formidable waves.
In addition to surfing, sailing and football events will occur in Marseille and Bordeaux, respectively, marking a significant departure from Paris. While these locations are several hundred kilometers from the French capital, the surfing event stands out as the most distant.
The last instance of an Olympic event being held outside the host country was during the 1956 Melbourne Games, when equestrian events took place in Stockholm, Sweden. This was due to Australia’s strict equine quarantine regulations, which led the International Olympic Committee to select a more accommodating venue.
For the 2024 Games, Paris officials expressed that hosting the surfing events in Tahiti aligns with their goal of “spreading the Games across France.” Tahiti was awarded the surfing events in 2020, ahead of the sport’s debut at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics.
This year’s surfing competition will feature a unique floating Olympic village—a state-of-the-art cruise ship designed to house the athletes. Competitors will face the renowned and challenging waves of Tahiti, promising an intense test of skill.
Surfing Competition Format
The surfing event will include 48 competitors—24 men and 24 women—divided into eight heats with three surfers each. Each heat consists of surfers taking turns to ride waves within a set time frame, typically between 20 to 30 minutes. The goal is to score the highest points for their wave rides.
The top surfers from the initial heats will advance to the Round of 16, while the others will face elimination. The Round of 16 will feature eight heats with two surfers per heat, with winners progressing to the quarterfinals, semifinals, and eventually the finals. Losers in the semifinals will compete for the bronze medal.
Published By:
Cricket Khabhar
Published On:
July 27, 2024