More than 120 sportspeople, local celebrities and members of the general public crossed the archipelago with the Olympic Torch
To celebrate this exceptional day, 122 torchbearers took it in turns to carry the Olympic Torch, including several Polynesian sportspeople, among whom was Christian Ti-Paon, a world champion in para-cycling, as well as a V6 gold medallist and V12 silver medallist at the Para-va’a world championships in the sprint race in 2018. Antonin Mianne, head coach of French Polynesia’s horse-riding teams, and Michel Bourez, nicknamed “the Spartan”, were present in Papeete. Bourez, renowned as one of the world’s most powerful surfers, lit the celebration cauldron at Place de To’ata, an entertainment area which plays host to many sporting and cultural events.
Throughout the day, the spectators witnessed a wealth of torchbearers with inspiring profiles, such as Vaimalama Chaves, a former Miss Tahiti in 2018 and Miss France in 2019, who loves travelling, adventures and music. In Arue, in the northeast of Tahiti, Ra’ï Anania, a young junior high school pupil suffering from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, carried the Olympic Torch. In spite of being wheelchair bound, he actively takes part in table tennis and swimming, acting as an inspirational role model for young people with disabilities.
Ravahere Silloux, another Miss Tahiti and a fervent ambassador for Tahitian heritage and culture, was present in Papeete. Rava Sachet, who works to promote Polynesian territory, carried the Olympic Torch near the celebration venue. She is a member of the association that organises the “Tahiti Color Fun Run”, an entertaining running event whose proceeds help to support local associations’ projects. She is also a senior executive in charge of waste management and preserving the environment for Tahiti’s public sector organisation, and works daily to protect biodiversity.
A symbolic collective relay
This new day of the Ocean Relay was marked by an inspiring image, with a collective relay by members of the Tahitian Surfing Federation. The Federation had arranged for fans of the discipline to meet at Fare Mahora Point from dawn. This peninsula located in the southeast of Tahiti, plays host just offshore to the famous surfing spot of Teahupo’o, one of the world’s most renowned.
Hira Teriinatoofa, who is a veritable legend in Tahiti and is today a coach of the French team, carried the Olympic Torch as captain of the collective relay. Alongside him, 23 other torchbearers took part in this memorable moment, including para-surfer Toareia Bordes, a regular competitor in bodyboard events on the archipelago, Amy Tauria, the local bodyboard champion, and Prisca Amaru, the founder of the first surfing school in Moorea.
The “prince and princess” of Teahupo’o, Kauli Vaast and Vahine Fierro, who will proudly represent France at the Paris 2024 Games, also enjoyed pride of place on Thursday 13th June, as did Michel Demont, ISA longboard world champion in 1994, or Karyl Maoni, a world champion in the va’a discipline, the traditional Tahitian pirogue. Philippe Klima, the eldest member of the Tahitian Surfing Federation and a kneeboard world champion in the “immortal” category in 2020, also honoured the event with his presence.
This collective relay highlighted the sporting spirit and unity of the local community in the run-up to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
On Saturday 15th June, after eight days of sailing aboard the Maxi Banque Populaire XI trimaran, the long-awaited moment will finally arrive: the Olympic Torch Relay will set foot on Guadeloupe, with its lush natural surroundings and white sandy beaches. It will begin the day on this island, which holds a special place in the hearts of the French, at the ACTe memorial. It will then pass through Saint-François, Saint-Claude, Basse-Terre, Petit-Bourg and the Îles des Saintes archipelago, before returning to the main island to finish the day in Baie-Mahault.