Tahitian president Edouard Fritsch signs official documents to host surfing for Paris 2024

Teahupo’o, Tahiti will be the home of the surfing competition for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and this week the president of French Polynesia, Edouard Fritch, signed the official documents for the competition with Tony Estanguet, the president of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Organizing Committee.

The famous surf break off of Teahupo’o is known for its clear water and massive waves cresting at seven meters. The location was chosen over other French surfing locations like Brittanny and Hossegor.

While the nation’s leaders knew they wanted to host the event, it took some convincing to get the locals on board. Eventually, they were won over and the preparation has begun with the official documents being signed. The documents pertain to the infrastructure which will be required on site as well as security measures and the passage of the Olympic flame.

The details of the flame being brought to the island have not yet been released, but with Paris sitting over 15k kilometers away from French Polynesia, the transfer of the flame will present challenges.

The contracts were signed at the Federation of Tahiti surf in Papara which will host the fans. Its president, Lionel Teihotu, told RNZ Pacific the event will be a way for local communities to witness and take part in the Olympics.

Fritch added, “We are going to make it an event that meets your expectations. We are a small, faraway island in the Pacific who will host the Olympic Games. It is extraordinary.”

The Olympic Organizing Committee were able to witness exactly why the location was chosen while in Tahiti as the 2022 Outerknown Tahiti Pro World Surfing League championships were being held there during their stay. In addition to observing the competition, the committee also scoped out various locations for fans to watch as well as accommodations for the athletes and coaches.

With just under two years to go before the opening ceremonies, the document signing in front of the community generated excitement not just in Tahiti, but worldwide.