As Paris prepares for the 2024 Olympics, innovative solutions are being explored for athlete accommodations. While the main Olympic village in Paris will use cardboard beds, athletes competing in Tahiti’s surfing events will stay on a floating hotel.
Located about 45 minutes from the surfing venue, the Aranui 5 cruise ship serves as the athlete village. The ship, which can host around 230 guests in more than 100 cabins, boasts eight guest decks, a spa, and a gym. It is anchored offshore, with athletes and their teams traveling to and from the ship via small boats.
French Polynesian President Moetai Brotherson praised the unique setup, calling it “unusual but well-received.” Although media access to the ship is restricted, athletes have shared glimpses of their accommodations through social media.
Japanese surfer Kanoa Igarashi posted a video on TikTok, praising the ship’s amenities, which include a 24-hour dining hall, an Olympic gift store, and an activity center with ping pong and foosball tables. In the video, he expressed his preference for the floating village over the Paris accommodations.
New Zealand surfing coach Matt Scorringe shared an Instagram video featuring a pool on the ship, complete with an Olympic rings statue. Meanwhile, German surfer Tim Elter posted a TikTok video showing his sea-view cabin and humorously noted the contrast with the cardboard beds in Paris.
The ship alleviates the pressure on local resources and reduces the need for additional buildings in Tahiti, which could impact the island’s small community. However, not all athletes in Tahiti are staying on the Aranui 5. Some have chosen to rent nearby houses, sharing images of beachfront boardwalks, communal meals, and picturesque surroundings.
