Fears for Jack Robinson. © APA/afp / BEN THOUARD

Surf superstar injured before Olympic opening

Concern for Australia's gold hope in surfing: During training shortly before the start of the Olympic Games, Jack Robinson sustained a cut on his ankle in Teahupo'o on Tahiti, Australian media reported.

July 25, 2024

From: dpa

Videos posted online showed the 26-year-old being brought to shore on a jet ski. He had previously fallen at the surfing spot in French Polynesia, which is considered one of the most dangerous in the world, and collided with one of the razor-sharp offshore reefs.

The Australian team gave the all-clear shortly afterwards: "He was taken to the local medical centre and treated by Surfing Australia's chief medical officer, Dr John Ward," the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper quoted a spokesman as saying. He said Robinson was still on course for the competition. The surfing competitions in Tahiti begin on Sunday.

There is a question mark over Jack Robinson's participation in the Olympics. © APA/afp / JEROME BROUILLET

Robinson is considered one of the best tube riders in the world. This involves surfers riding through a wave that forms a hollow tube when it breaks. The "superstar surfer", as the media in his home country celebrate him, is currently in third place in the world rankings.