Yang Siqi of Team China attends the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
TAHITI, France, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Participants of the Paris Olympics in Tahiti, French Polynesia, where the Games' surfing events will take place, celebrated the opening of the Games here on Friday.
Athletes, officials, fans and locals gathered for a cultural ceremony held concurrently with the main event in Paris, some 16,000km away.
48 surfers entered the ceremony with their respective national and regional flags, followed by the "Sands of the World" ceremony, where surfers poured the sand from their home together in a symbol of unity.
Also on display was the traditional Tahitian Rahiri celebration, representing fair play and mutual respect between athletes.
"This is the moment to shine," said Fernando Aguerre, president of the International Surfing Association (ISA).
The competition will start on Saturday morning in Tahiti, with big conditions and overhead waves forecast. 15-year-old Yang Siqi will make China's debut at the Olympic surfing event. ■
Marie Guévenoux, French Minister of the Overseas addresses the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
President of French Polynesia Moetai Brotherson addresses the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
A traditional celebration is held during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
A traditional celebration is held during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Yang Siqi of Team China attends the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Yang Siqi of Team China attends the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Yang Siqi of Team China attends the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia, on July 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
