La Jolla, California – 12 December 2019
The International Surfing Association (ISA) today welcomes and fully supports the recommendation by Paris 2024 for the Olympic Surfing competition to be staged in the French Polynesia island of Tahiti at the world-renowned reef break, Teahupo’o.
ISA President Fernando Aguerre said:
"We have been very pleased to work closely with the Paris 2024 leadership team on this process for selecting a host location for the surfing competitions for the Paris 2024 Games. We salute the five candidatures, which were all excellent and well-known surf destinations, but Tahiti was truly exceptional in offering our athletes, and our sport, spectacular conditions for optimal competitions.
"For us, Tahiti represents the authenticity of our sport and the ISA’s mission to celebrate surfing’s unique culture and lifestyle, while also recalling the long history and heritage of our sport from its Polynesian origins.
"Ultimately, our commitment is to the athletes and the sport and we have no doubt that Teahupo’o will offer an amazing platform for the world’s best athletes to shine. For this, we were not surprised by the full support of our Athletes Commission for this choice.
"Selecting Tahiti as the Olympic venue is also a testimony to the Paris 2024 spirit of creativity and innovation, while preserving the genuine values of surfing. We applaud our friends in the Paris 2024 team for their courage and originality in making this landmark proposal.
"Surfing is a sport for the new era of the Games and this approach by Paris 2024 demonstrates how our values are aligned. Our sport’s connection to the environment also makes Tahiti a fitting choice – with a bespoke concept that will deliver a sustainable and low carbon impact event.
"I’m totally convinced we can stage a fantastic Olympic Surfing event in Tahiti that builds on the success and legacy of our debut at Tokyo 2020, inspires the world and continues to celebrate our sport’s unique value and culture on a global stage."
ISA Athletes’ Commission Chair, Justine Dupont (FRA), said:
"All of the top athletes I’ve consulted are super excited about the proposal of Tahiti to host Surfing at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
"The famed waves at Teahupo’o are revered among surfers all over the globe, and will draw an unprecedented level of attention and excitement to the Games.
"The athletes are stoked that our opinion held such weight in the proposal. Our voices are being heard and shaping the future trajectory of our sport through Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024, and beyond."
-ENDS-
Your best source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only
Últimas Noticias
Utah’s Olympic venues an integral part of the equation as Salt Lake City seeks a Winter Games encore
IOC president tells Olympic Movement “we will again have safe and secure Olympic Games” in Beijing
Boxing’s place in the Olympics remains in peril as IOC still unhappy with the state of AIBA’s reform efforts
IOC president details Olympic community efforts to get Afghans out of danger after Taliban return to power
North Korea suspended by IOC for failing to participate in Tokyo though its athletes could still take part in Beijing 2022
