Tahiti welcomed the 2024 Olympic browsing occasion on Friday with blazing sunshine, songs and Polynesian tradition honoring the game’s historical roots, a world away from the rain of the Video games’ opening ceremony in Paris.

At a beachside park about 25 miles from the browsing venue of Teahupo’o, surfers poured sand from their house seashores right into a communal vessel, combining the totally different colours and textures to represent unity and respect for the ocean.

Ceremonial artifacts and a few dignitaries arrived in outrigger canoes and had been carried up the black sand seaside, the place athletes paraded into a big tent.

Host nation France naturally obtained the loudest cheers, particularly for native Teahupo’o surfers Vahine Fierro and Kauli Vaast, who will likely be among the many favorites when competitors kicks off Saturday.

Athletes and officers danced with native performers sporting grass skirts and flower garlands earlier than huge display screen TVs related dwell to Paris and a rain-soaked parade of countries.