Sharks Not Welcome At Tokyo Surfing

(ATR) The only "Olympic sharks" expected at the Tokyo Games will be men and women looking for medals at sea and in pools.

Two weeks ago, a stage of the World Surfing League (WSL) circuit was canceled on the western coast of Australia after a shark attack that sent two people to the hospital. The situation was considered circumstantial by organizers and experts as competitions have continued normally in the world.

Many of the athletes who are expected to compete in the Tokyo Olympics have already prepared for the next WSL event in Saquarema, Brazil from May 11-20. Tokyo 2020 says it is aware of the Australian cancellation, and is ready to prepare accordingly.

"Athletes’ safety is of the utmost importance for us, and we will accordingly make every effort to ensure all venues are safe," a spokesperson for the Tokyo 2020 told Around the Rings. "Tokyo 2020 will address the unique nature of the sport and secure the safe environment at the Tsurigasaki Beach surfing venue."

According to the site Shark Attack Data, the last attack of sharks in Japan occurred on July 24, 2016 at Irino Beach, Kochi Prefecture. The victim, a surfing practitioner, suffered leg injuries. Between 1862 and 2016, only 27 attacks were recorded in Japan, 15 of them fatal.

Last year saw the highest number of shark attacks in recent years with 88. The United States, with 53 of the incidents, and Australia, 14, topped the list.

Tsurigasaki Beach, in Ichinomiya, Chiba Prefecture, is considered a "surfing paradise" since the 1980s with 180 degree waves from the Pacific Ocean, and more importantly no risk of sharks.

According to a survey of the municipal government conducted in fiscal year 2016, it was calculated that the city received more than 3.2 billion yen (about $28.8 million) through this sport.

Ichinomiya marks an important growth of its population and attracts some 600,000 visitors per year, thanks in part to surfing. Tokyo 2020 will welcome 40 Olympic athletes, 20 men and 20 women.

WSL and the International Surfing Association are committed to ensuring the presence of the best in the world, many of whom met last weekend in Santa Monica, California, for the Big Wave Awards of 2018. The show included the official recognition of the new world record of Brazilian Rodrigo Koxa for the largest wave ever surfed.

The jury concluded that the world record Koxa wave was recorded in Nazaré, Portugal on Nov. 8, and was 80 feet high. That height is two feet higher than the wave Garrett McNamara surfed in 2011.

Written by Miguel Hernandez

For general comments or questions, click here .

25 Years at # 1: Your best source for news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com , for subscribers only.