The surfing competition in the Paris 2024 Olympics has taken place nowhere near the French capital but instead in Tahiti, some 10,000 miles away. This has offered sports fans a glimpse into this Pacific paradise, with its green-covered mountains and deep blue oceans. While the games have already given us thrilling images, such as Gabriel Medina’s gravity-defying photo, this time it was nature that stole the spotlight, as a humpback whale was caught breaching during the Olympics surfing semifinals. The sight of the massive marine mammal leaping out of the water added an awe-inspiring natural spectacle to the high-energy sporting event, captivating the audience and competitors alike.
Tatiana Weston-Webb of Brazil and Brisa Hennessy of Costa Rica were competing when the creature emerged at a safe distance from them. Still, the appearance of the whale gave spectators and photographers a moment they’ll never forget. The whale was captured on video by the international Olympics broadcast, which quickly zoomed in on the creature, while photojournalists from agencies such as AFP and AP snapped some thrilling pictures of the whale with the surfers in the foreground. According to France24, in Tahiti—the biggest island and the economic, cultural, and political center of French Polynesia—whales gather around the islands during mating, birthing, and migration season. While it can be somewhat common for wild animals such as birds, seals, and even sharks to pop up near surfing events around the world, the whale surely caught the competitors by surprise. In the end, Weston-Webb defeated Hennessy 13.66 to 6.17 and went on to win the silver medal, after just missing the gold by less than a point in the final to Team USA’s Caroline Marks.
