Tahiti has been approved to host the surfing competition for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
French Polynesia was picked by Paris 2024 organisers in December as the preferred option over rival beaches on the French mainland in Biarritz, Lacanau, Les Landes and La Torche.
Photo: Présidence de la Polynésie française
Tahiti was also the preferred choice of the International Surfing Association.
The International Olympic Committee approved the move at its executive board meeting in Lausanne on Tuesday, while also approving the Place de la Concorde in central Paris as the site for its urban sports cluster.
"We are delighted that the IOC Executive Board has approved the Teahupo'o site in Tahiti for the organization of the surfing competitions and Place de la Concorde for the urban sports events," said Paris 2024 chief Tony Estanguet in a statement.
"This marks another milestone with our ambition to deliver spectacular and sustainable Games that will offer a unique experience for athletes."
The French Polynesian govenment is holding a ceremony at the presidential palace in Papeete today with representatives of the surfing world to mark the announcement.
At 15,000km away from the French mainland, the move to Tahiti is one of the longest distances between an event and the host city at any Olympic Games.
The 1956 Melbourne Olympics equestrian competition was held in Sweden's Stockholm due to quarantine laws in Australia.
Surfing will make its Olympic debut at the Tokyo Games.
- RNZ/Reuters