WAVE OF CHAOS
Second Paris Olympics event POSTPONED just hours before start time and after triathlon already delayed
The news comes after surfer Jack Robinson experienced a scary incident while competing
SURFING has become the second event to be postponed in a matter of hours at the Paris Olympics due to adverse weather conditions.
The men's quarter-finals, women's quarter-finals and men's semi-finals were due to take place from 6pm BST on Tuesday evening.
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But they have now been pushed back in another blow to French organisers as storms strike the Pacific island of Tahiti where the surfing is taking place.
The triathlon had already been postponed earlier on Tuesday morning due pollution concerns in the River Seine.
Surfing Association technical director Erik Kramer confirmed the latest Olympic delay in a short statement, with a decision on when the action will recommence set to take place on Tuesday afternoon.
He said: "The competition is OFF tomorrow 30/07/2024 7.00am GMT+10 with a colour code of RED.
"Technical delegates decision on colour code tendencies for the next session is expected on 30/07/2024 at 17.45 GMT+10."
The postponement comes after Australian star Jack Robinson had to be rescued when a storm sent the surfer crashing into the sea.
Officials rushed to save him as they pulled him out of the ocean and placed him on a jetski.
After recovering to win his heat, Robinson said: "Where I was on the inside between where the two waves collide on the right of the channel, and left of the way we're surfing, that is the most dangerous place in the whole world.
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"It's another level when you are in there - but you try talking with God and just be safe.
"I didn't get much air. There wasn't much time.
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"I got reminded of so many guys who have had so many bad wipe-outs here.
"I have had some pretty bad wipe-outs but in a contest it's different. You have way more adrenaline and there is way more on the line.
"Going back out was a test of physicality and spirit.
"We are in an ocean. It is the biggest, most powerful source of life we have on this planet.
"The waves are so powerful. It doesn't relate to any other sport.
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"Maybe an avalanche coming down on your head on a mountain. Maybe it's similar to that. It's so dangerous and so crazy."
In more positive news, Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina went viral after celebrating his superb score by riding up the crest of a wave and leaping into the air.
How is Olympic surfing scored and why is it in Tahiti?
How is it scored?
A panel of five judges scores rides out of 10 points and a surfer's best two waves are combined to give a total out of 20.
Points can be deducted if they get an interference - such as getting in the way of another surfer who has priority.
There are no particular points for a given manoeuvre, but taking on the biggest, most intense waves and riding inside the barrel - where the wave breaks - for the longest time will score favourably.
Why is it in Tahiti?
While nearly every other sport is being competed over in Paris, the European climate and glaring lack of a beach means this event has been outsourced to a warmer part of the world.
France's surfing beaches are usually flat in the summer, while Tahiti, located in French Polynesia, has huge swells out of the south Pacific throughout the southern hemisphere winter which then hits the reefs at Teahupo'o, creating stunning waves perfect for the Olympics.