Indonesian surfer Rio Waida left for Tahiti, French Polynesia, Thursday night to take part in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Rio, accompanied by the head coach of the Indonesian national surfing team Arya Subyakto and physical trainer Tina Chronopoulou, is scheduled to depart from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali, at 22.10 WITA.
“We transited first in Sydney, then from Sydney to Auckland, New Zealand, from New Zealand to Tahiti. More than 20 hours with the transit,” said Arya as reported by Between.
Arya explained that Rio is currently in good health and ready to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics, which will be held on Teahupo’o Beach, Tahiti.
Upon arrival in Tahiti, Rio still has at least eight days to prepare. He will undergo routine training consisting of physical training and free surfing, just like he did in Bali.
A number of Olympic athletes from various countries have arrived in Tahiti, including Japanese Olympic silver medalist Kanoa Igarashi. Thus, Rio must line up to practice surfing on Tahiti’s notoriously “deadly” waves.
Also read: In Order to Appear at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Rio Waida Strengthens Muscle Mass
“This is because the waves will be in the middle of the sea, so you have to use the shuttle that they take turns,” said Arya.
According to the match schedule on the official Olympic website, the surfing event will take place from July 28-31. However, the schedule is subject to change at any time as the event is dependent on natural conditions.
“If it goes according to plan, the match will finish on August 1. If the waves don’t come, it will have to end on August 5,” said Arya.
Also read: Rio Waida Faces Italian and Japanese Representatives in First Round of 2024 Paris Olympics
In addition to the two coaches, Rio was also accompanied by two officials from the Indonesian Surfing Association (PB PSOI) who had left earlier.
The 2024 Paris Olympics will be the second time the Japanese-Javanese surfer has represented Indonesia in the world multi-sport event following reaching the top 16 at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics which were held in 2021 due to being postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Rio secured a ticket to the 2024 Olympics following qualifying for the 2024 World Surfing Games held by the International Surfing Association (ISA) in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, in March. (Z-6)
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