Surf shines in Paris 2024 with Gabriel Medina and the magic of Tehaupo’o.

Surfing has found what it needed at the Paris 2024 Olympics after a modest start at Tokyo 2020. More than 15,000 kilometers away from France, the surfing community has left its mark on the waves of Tehaupo’o, a place that has become the perfect backdrop for this sport that has captured the world's attention. The image that encapsulates this moment is that of Brazilian Gabriel Medina, who, in a spectacular flight over the Pacific Ocean, points to the sky after executing the best wave in the short Olympic history of the discipline, achieving an almost perfect score of 9.9 out of 10.

The decision to host this competition in Tahiti, one of the most remote and exotic venues of the Games, has proven to be a success. Photographer Jerome Brouillet, from the AFP agency, was tasked with capturing this divine moment that has traveled around the world in a matter of hours. His shot not only highlights the athlete's talent but also showcases the beauty and danger of Tehaupo’o, known as the “skull wall.” This name is not coincidental, as the wave has left several competitors with significant injuries, illustrating the intensity of surfing in this location.

The atmosphere in Tehaupo’o became almost surreal when German Tim Elter experienced a comical incident that broke the tension of the moment: the force of the wave caused him to lose his bathing suit, exposing his backside. Such unusual situations underscore the rawness and unpredictability of surfing, where each wave can be both a challenge and an opportunity for spectacle.

Medina, who is in peak physical and technical form, described the wave he surfed as “a 10 wave.” With his previous experience at this site, the Brazilian surfer has been able to take advantage of the changing and dangerous sea conditions. "When the waves are hollow, the water is very shallow. They are very solid waves, but we love this," he explained. This love for the sport translates into a dedication aimed at bringing him to the podium, replacing his compatriot Italo Ferreira, who took home the first Olympic gold in Tokyo.

The performance Medina offered excited the crowd of boats and small crafts nearby, all eagerly awaiting an unparalleled display of talent. The image of his tube ride becomes a symbol of the resurgence of surfing in the Olympic arena, moving away from the polluted and unattractive waters of Tokyo and transporting spectators to a much more vibrant and natural setting.

However, after this stellar moment, weather conditions turned adverse, leading the organizers to postpone the rest of the program. The women's competition is waiting to resume, with Spanish surfer Nadia Erostarbe looking to secure her place in the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, the eliminations of other national surfers, such as Janire González-Etxabarri and Andy Criere, reflect the extremely high level of competition in these waves.

Surfing, which has been part of the Olympic Games since Tokyo, has established itself as a sport that not only demands skill and technical prowess but also a deep connection with nature. The experience and preparation of the athletes are reflected in every wave, and the recognition of their efforts is symbolized in images like that of Medina, which have captured the attention of a global audience.

In this context, surfing becomes much more than a sport; it is a spectacle that attracts viewers from all over the world, generating unprecedented interest. The photograph of Medina, which has circulated in the public sphere, stands as a milestone that could mark the future of surfing in the Olympics and elevate the popularity of this sport to new heights.

As the competition moves toward its conclusion, the eyes of the world will remain on Tahiti, waiting for conditions to allow the resumption of an event that promises to continue delivering excitement, surprises, and, above all, the possibility of writing a new chapter in the realm of Olympic surfing.