With all eyes on the sea during the last day of Olympics in Paris 2024 surfing competition in Tahiti on Monday afternoon, a surprise guest made an appearance: a whale.
A safe distance from athletes Tatiana Weston-Webb of Brazil and Brisa Hennessy of Costa Rica, competing in a semifinal match, broke a whale and gave spectators and photographers a great Olympic moment.
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Most of the events during the Paris 2024 Olympics are held in and around the French capital, but the surfing competition took place some 10,000 miles away in the waters off the French Polynesian island Tahitiwho was chosen for his legendary Teahupo’o wave.
Frenchman Kauli Vaast, born on the island, took gold in the men’s competition. Johanne Defay took bronze for France in the women’s competition.
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It is not uncommon for wildlife such as birds, seals and even sharks to appear as people surf around the world.
In Tahiti, whales congregate around the islands during mating, birth and migration season. Tahiti also has several maritime protected zones.
In April, Pacific indigenous leaders, including some from Tahiti, signed a treaty recognizing whales as “legal persons,” although such a declaration is not reflected in the laws of participating nations.
contributed to this report.