You’ve heard of the Olympic Village, but what about the Olympic…cruise ship?
Apparently, that’s where surfers will stay during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which, for surfing, will be held in Tahiti, French Polynesia, at Teahupo’o.
The cruise ship in question? The Aranui.
According to the boat’s Instagram bio, it’s a:
“Remote passenger-freighter adventure cruises sailing throughout French Polynesia, the Marquesas Islands, Austral Islands and beyond.”
And per a post from Olympics watchdog site, InsideTheGames, the news was reported:
“Competitors taking part in the surfing competition in Tahiti at next year’s Olympic Games will be accommodated on a cruise ship moored in Teahupo’o, it has been revealed.
“Tahiti’s Minister of Youth and Sports Nahema Temarii announced the surfers will be staying on the Aranui, a Romanian-made Polynesian cruise ship.
“The mixed freighter, which specializes in cruises and shipping freight to the Marquesas Islands, will anchor in the bay of Vairao, a village just outside the capital of the capital of French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France.
“The ship will also act as a base for officials attending the Olympics, some of which have already chosen and reserved rooms at their own expense, just in front of the wave.”
A local hotel, which has been closed for 26 years, was allegedly the first choice for Olympic surfers’ accommodations; but repairs could not be made in time.
The Aranui can reportedly accommodate 254 passengers with 103 cabins; just 48 surfers will be competing in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Additionally, the judges tower at Chopes is purportedly getting a facelift, and a pricey one at that.
Per InsideTheGames:
“An aluminum structure is currently being built to replace the previous wooden tower used for competition in the World Surf League.
“It will be installed facing the wave at an estimated cost of €4.6 million (£3.9 million/$5.1 million).”
The surfing portion of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be held July 27th-30th.
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