Tahitian dancers in palm-leaf skirts mingled with Olympic surfers, locals and tourists as the opening ceremony for the Olympic Games commenced in French Polynesia on Friday, about 16,000km from the main ceremony in Paris.
“The people of Tahiti, we are all enchanted to have these Olympics Games here and to welcome all our friends from all over the world,” French Polynesia President Moetai Brotherson told reporters. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us. All the world is looking at us for this mighty wave.”
Just steps from the ocean and set against the lush green mountains of Tahiti, the event was heavily centered on Polynesian culture: Visitors were welcomed with traditional Tahitian singing, dancing and ceremonies. Local government, Olympic and surfing officials had hand-woven palms placed around their necks upon arrival. White tents provided a shady spot for vendors to sell local vegetables, Polynesian crafts and food.
Photo: AP
During one part of the ceremony athletes sealed banana leaves into a vessel, following an ancestral tradition in Polynesian culture — called rahiri — used as a prelude to important events to secure the peace and union of those competing.
During another part of the ceremony, athletes poured sand into a single communal container, symbolizing unity and respect for the ocean.
Before the event, surfer Caroline Marks from the US said she was excited to be returning to the Olympics after she placed fourth at the Tokyo Olympics, where surfing first debuted.
Photo: AP
“This is way different from Tokyo, when we were in pandemic and there were no spectators — it felt secluded,” she told reporters. “This Olympics definitely have a different vibe and it’s great to be back.”
The event was open to the public, with locals and tourists attending.
“I think it’s a really great opportunity for us to show our culture to the world and really demonstrate that we exist,” local guesthouse owner Hiro Boosie said. “We want to show what kind of people we are to the world.”
Photo: AP
Despite extra security such as police checkpoints and some road closures closer to the Olympic venues, tourists said that they felt their visit to Tahiti during the Olympics was so far a smooth and welcoming experience.
“The locals are amazing, and I feel that it’s actually very well organized for tourists to be here,” said Dhikra Bahri, 23, who was visiting from Tunisia.
International Surfing Association president Fernando Aguerre announced that the surfing competition would start the following day. The first events were scheduled to start after press time last night.
Photo: AP
TAIWAN RESULTS
Staff writer
In Chateauroux, about 200km south of Paris, Taiwan’s Liu Heng-yu narrowly missed out on a place in the women’s 10m air pistol final.
Photo: AP
Liu finished 13th in qualifying, but could have had a shot at the top eight and a place in today’s final were it not for a poor sixth set.
She had scores of 97, 97, 95, 96 and 97 in the first five to put herself on the cusp of a place in the medals event, but a 91 brought her total to just 573, four off eighth place.
Compatriot Yu Ai-wen placed 35th in qualifying.
Taiwanese were to compete in boxing, tennis, table tennis and kayaking after press time last night.
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