But one of the most stunning backdrops for the quadrennial competition won’t be in Paris – or France for that matter. The selection of Tahiti fulfills one of the pledges from Paris organizers, who promised to spread the Olympics throughout French territory. Tahiti became a French colony in 1880 and is now classified as an autonomous overseas country of the French Republic. Located roughly 9,700 miles and a 21-hour flight away from Paris, Teahupo’o will make for one of the far-flung host cities for an Olympic event in history. “Over the years corals (have) even covered the previous concrete tower base structure.”He added: “The new tower was never only for the Olympic Games.

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Persons: Pont Alexandre III, Teahupo’o, ”, Tony Estanguet, ” Teahupo’o, “, Alexandra Dempsey, Khaled bin, “ You’re, that’s, –, Tim McKenna Organizations: CNN, Olympic, Games, Olympic Games, Oceans Foundation, International Surfing Association, Surfer Magazine Locations: Versailles, Paris –, France, Tahiti, Paris, French, French Republic, Polynesia, Teahupo’o