Paris Olympics surfing puts pressure on Tahiti’s fragile ecosystem
The world-famous surf spot of Teahupo'o in Tahiti, French Polynesia, is set to host the 2024 Paris Olympics surfing competition. But the decision has thrust unprecedented challenges onto a small community that has long cherished and strives to protect a Tahitian way of life more closely connected to its wild lands and crystal-clear ocean than the fame promised by an Olympic stage.
1/27
Swipe or click to see more
VIDEO BY AP
The world-famous surf spot of Teahupo'o in Tahiti, in French Polynesia, is set to host the 2024 Paris Olympics surfing competition. But the decision has created unprecedented challenges for the small community and its fragile ecosystems.
2/27
Swipe or click to see more
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Locals hang out at a bus stop at the end of the road in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Wednesday, Jan. 17.3/27
Swipe or click to see more
ASSOCIATED PRESS
French Olympic athlete Kauli Vaast, right, and his brother Naiki, organize surf equipment in their bungalow in Vairao, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Sunday, Jan. 14. "Magical things happen here, you feel this energy and you must show respect," said Kauli Vaast. "It is so important to show respect in these types of places where you face mother nature."4/27
Swipe or click to see more
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A pedestrian bridge under construction for the Olympic Games is visible in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Friday, Jan. 12.5/27
Swipe or click to see more
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A wave at Teahupo'o crashes onto the coral reef in Tahiti, French Polynesia, Thursday, Jan. 11. The decision to host part of the Olympic Games here has thrust unprecedented challenges onto a small community that has long cherished and strives to protect its way of life.6/27
Swipe or click to see more
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Butterflyfish swim along the coral reef in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Monday, Jan. 15.7/27
Swipe or click to see more
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A man tends to a barbecue at a snack bar in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Tuesday, Jan. 16.8/27
Swipe or click to see more
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A worker inspects the permanent foundations being constructed on the coral reef for a judging tower to be used during the Olympic Games surf competition in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Friday, Jan. 12. The size of the judging tower has been scaled back and new infrastructure plans are being drawn up to minimize the need for new construction.9/27
Swipe or click to see more
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Teahupo'o native Gregory Parker poses for a portrait in the beachfront bungalow that he will rent out to Olympic accredited officials during the Olympic surf competition in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Sunday, Jan. 14.10/27
Swipe or click to see more
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The surf breaks onto the lagoon in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Saturday, Jan. 13. The decision to host part of the Olympic Games here has thrust unprecedented challenges onto a small community that has long cherished and strives to protect its way of life.11/27
Swipe or click to see more
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A surfer rides a wave in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Saturday, Jan. 13. The world-famous surf spot is set to host the 2024 Paris Olympics surfing competition.12/27
Swipe or click to see more
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tahitian-born surfer Kauli Vaast rides a wave in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Sunday, Jan. 13. Vaast learned how to surf on these waves at just eight years old.13/27
Swipe or click to see more
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A surfer rides a wave in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Saturday, Jan. 13. The world-famous surf spot is set to host the 2024 Paris Olympics surfing competition.14/27
Swipe or click to see more
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A shark swims along the coral reef in Vairao, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Wednesday, Jan. 17.15/27
Swipe or click to see more
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A stray dog walks by an Olympic Games construction site in Teahupo'o, French Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean, Thursday, Jan. 11. The decision to host part of the Olympic Games here has thrust unprecedented challenges onto a small community that has long cherished and strives to protect its way of life.16/27
Swipe or click to see more
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A surfer rides a wave in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Saturday, Jan. 13. The world-famous surf spot is set to host the 2024 Paris Olympics surfing competition.17/27
Swipe or click to see more
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A worker inspects the permanent foundations being constructed on the coral reef for a judging tower to be used during the Olympic Games surf competition in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Friday, Jan. 12. The size of the judging tower has been scaled back and new infrastructure plans are being drawn up to minimize the need for new construction.18/27
Swipe or click to see more
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A group play music together by the side of the road in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Tuesday, Jan. 16. The decision to host part of the Olympic Games here has thrust unprecedented challenges onto a small community that has long cherished and strives to protect its way of life.19/27
Swipe or click to see more
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Naiki Vaast spearfishes along the coral reef in Vairao, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Wednesday, Jan. 17.20/27
Swipe or click to see more
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A woman shelters from the sun as she watches surfers catching waves in Vairao, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Monday, Jan. 15.21/27
Swipe or click to see more
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Friends drink together after work in Taiarapu-Ouest, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Friday, Jan. 12.22/27
Swipe or click to see more
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cindy Otcenasek, the president of the environmental organization Vai Ara O Teahupo'o poses for a portrait at her home in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Tuesday, Jan. 16. "In Polynesian culture, gods are present everywhere, in the coral, in the ocean," she said. "The ocean is considered to be the most sacred temple."23/27
Swipe or click to see more
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A customer sits at the only snack bar in the village of Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Monday, Jan. 15.24/27
Swipe or click to see more
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A child plays on a sculpture of the Teahupo'o wave at the end of the road, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Saturday, Jan. 13.25/27
Swipe or click to see more
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A person burns fallen leaves on a beach in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Friday, Jan. 13. The decision to host part of the Olympic Games here has thrust unprecedented challenges onto a small community that has long cherished and strives to protect a way of life.26/27
Swipe or click to see more
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Naiki Vaast, right, prepares a fish he caught for dinner, feeding cats the leftovers in Vairao, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Wednesday, Jan. 17.27/27
Swipe or click to see more
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kids surf small waves along the beach after school in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Monday, Jan. 15.
Israel pounds southern Lebanon, Beirut outskirts
Kalani High School launches new Coast Guard JROTC program
Volcano in Iceland erupts for 10th time in 3 years
Russia hits Ukraine with ICBM
Kekahuna appears in court charged with 2nd degree attempted murder and assault
Hotel guests admire holiday sand sculptures at the Sheraton Waikiki
Powerful storm hits the U.S. Pacific Northwest and western Canada
Funeral of former One Direction singer Liam Payne held near London
Honolulu police officers recognized during promotion ceremony
Subscriber Favorites
Hawaii women’s volleyball team loses regular season finale to UC Irvine
Emerging details of Chinese hack leave U.S. officials alarmed
Motorcyclist, 19, dies in head-on crash in North Kona
Trump picks Scott Bessent for Treasury, capping long drama over choice
Kapaa puts up 55 points in semifinal victory over Damien
More Photo Galleries
Israel pounds southern Lebanon, Beirut outskirts
Kalani High School launches new Coast Guard JROTC program
Volcano in Iceland erupts for 10th time in 3 years
Russia hits Ukraine with ICBM
Kekahuna appears in court charged with 2nd degree attempted murder and assault
