Why one Olympic event is taking place nearly 10,000 miles away from Paris

Not every Olympic event is being staged in Paris as one event is taking place nearly 10,000 miles away from the French capital.

The 2024 Olympics is underway as gold medals are being handed out, with Team GB securing their second gold medal with one of the greatest comebacks of all-time.

And athletes competing in surfing will be attempting to win a medal NOT in Paris. Here's why.

Mainland France boasts some fantastic waves but, in the summer, the Bay of Biscay on the west coast is largely waveless, according to Al Jazeera.

Surfing made its debut at the Tokyo Olympics, but the event was marred due to the dismal conditions.

A similar scenario at this summer's Olympics would not be a good look for the sport's image.

However, France's overseas territories are home to some brilliant waves, including Teahupo'o, Tahiti - which is 10,000 milers away from Paris.

An Olympian rides a wave at Teahupo’o. Image: Getty

It has been chosen to host 48 of the world's best surfers for the 2024 Olympics, which started last Saturday.

Teahupo'o is on the island of Tahiti in the territory of French Polynesia and is home to 'the heaviest, most perfect' waves in the world.

Surfing was also invented by the ancient Polynesians so it's somewhat of a homecoming at the Paris Games.

Tim McKenna, a veteran surfer photographer who has lived on the island 2002, has spent the past 35 years snapping the world's best surfers and reserved special praise for Teahupo’o, saying: "There is nowhere else like Teahupo’o... The water is warm and super clear. You can see the coral and the fish."