(ATR) Biarritz, France provides the perfect backdrop for this year's World Surfing Games organized by the International Surfing Association.
Surfers from 47 countries are riding the waves of the Basque Country seaside this week over the eight-day competition.
The number of countries and the 245 competitors are record-breaking for the event that was first held in 1964. Many of those who came also have aspirations for Tokyo 2020 when the sport makes its Olympic debut.
ISA president Fernando Aguerre says that future editions of the event will serve as qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Games.
"We have not approved the detailed plan, but for sure and as requested by the IOC, will include the top surfing stars, but also giving a chance to the best surfers from all continents in the Olympic Universal spirit," Aguerre told reporters.
In the 2017 edition, French women pleased the home crowd by taking gold and silver (Pauline Ado and Johanne Defay) in the women's event on Monday. The men's competition began May 23 and concludes on May 28 when the medalists will be awarded.
Click here for photos from the event.
Written by Kevin Nutley
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