Humpback whale surprises viewers at Olympics surfing competition

What’s it take for a spectator to sneak into the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France? If you weigh over 50,000 pounds and have a blowhole, not much apparently.

On Monday, Tatiana Weston-Webb of Brazil and Brisa Hennessy of Costa Rica were engaging in a semifinal event in the 2024 Games’ surfing competition when they suddenly had company.

In the midst of the athletic competition, a humpback whale leapt out of the water headfirst, a maneuver called a “breach.”

Announcers calling the event didn’t miss a beat, with one positing, “That’s a 10 right there.”

Tahiti is playing host to this year’s Olympic surfing events, and whales are often seen swimming around the island’s shores this time of year. In fact, whales are recognized as “legal persons” by French Polynesia’s indigenous leaders.

They may need to enlarge the medal podium.