French Polynesia is a French overseas community in the South Pacific. Geographically and culturally, it is part of Polynesia and consists of 118 islands, of which 67 are inhabited. The islands have a total land area of ​​4.167 km², spread over 2.500.000 km² of ocean. The population is 295.121 (2020). The capital is Papeete, located on Tahiti.

French Polynesia is divided into five administrative units (subdivisions administratives), further subdivided into 48 municipalities (communes). These five units are the Marquesas Islands (les îles Marquises), Tuamotu-Gambier, the Windward Islands (les îles du Vent), the Leeward Islands (les îles Sous-Le-Vent), and the Austral Islands ('southern' islands, les Îles Australes). The Windward Islands and Leeward Islands are collectively known as the Society Islands (îles de la Société).

Tahiti

Tahiti, formerly known as Otaheite, is an island in the South Pacific. Together with the islands of Moorea and Bora Bora, it belongs to French Polynesia, a large archipelago of 118 islands located between Australia and South America. Many of these islands are of volcanic origin. Tahiti has a varied landscape; in addition to picturesque beaches, there are mountains and jungle areas. Tahiti became famous, among other things, because the French painter Paul Gauguin lived and worked there for several years. The island had 169.674 inhabitants in 2002 and covers an area of ​​1036 km². The official languages ​​are French and Tahitian. A traditional garment is the přeu, or as it is called in Western countries today: a pareo. Tahiti is home to the largest Chinese community in the South Pacific. Tahiti is divided into 12 municipalities, including the capital, Papeete.

Teahupoo is a coastal town on the French Polynesian island of Tahiti. It is a well-known surf location due to the surf break, a coral reef just off the coast, which creates waves suitable for tube riding. Since 1999, the Billabong Pro Teahupoo (of the World Surf League) has been held here annually. This is one of the most dangerous surf competitions in the world. The waves are not only high, but the openings that form are so deep that sometimes no more than fifty centimeters of water remains between the coral reef and the water surface, making a fall life-threatening.

Teahupoo has been chosen to host the surfing competition of the 2024 Summer Olympics. The venue will be set up to accommodate 1.500 spectators. The selection also breaks all records regarding the distance between the location of an Olympic event and the host city, a distance that, at more than 15.700 km, has never been greater.

Surfing is done on shortboards, and it is the second time the sport is on the Olympic program. A total of 48 athletes are participating in two events. The surfing takes place on Teahupo'o beach.

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Surfing video from NOS: https://nos.nl/video/2529835-olympisch-golfsurfen-niet-in-frankrijk-maar-op-tahiti-meest-perfecte-golf-van-de-wereld