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Perfect conditions make a breathtaking photo of surfer Gabriel Medina

Sports Scene

Gabriel Medina of Brazil competes in the men's surfing event at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Tahiti, July 29, 2024. /CFP
Gabriel Medina of Brazil competes in the men's surfing event at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Tahiti, July 29, 2024. /CFP

Gabriel Medina of Brazil competes in the men's surfing event at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Tahiti, July 29, 2024. /CFP

One of the most memorable photos at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games was taken in the men's surfing event in Tahiti on Monday when Gabriel Medina of Brazil was soaring into the air and pointing to the sky.

The photo was taken by Jerome Brouillet of Agence France-Presse (AFP) when "the conditions were perfect, the waves were taller than we expected," according to the photographer.

"So he [Medina] is at the back of the wave and I can't see him and then he pops up and I took four pictures and one of them was this one," Brouillet said. "It was not hard to take the picture. It was more about anticipating the moment and where Gabriel will kick off the wave."

Media posted a combined two-wave score of 17.4 out of a possible 20, including 9.9 on the wave of the breathtaking photo.

"I never imagined we could get waves like this in the Olympics," Medina said. "I'm comfortable when the waves are good and as long as it's like this, it's good for everyone... Today was a good day for sure."

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