TEAHUPO'O, Tahiti, French Polynesia (Friday, August 11, 2023) - John John Florence (USA) has provisionally qualified through the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) for the forthcoming Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Florence's appearance in his first heat at the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro now provides him enough points to secure his position as the second-highest-ranked male surfer representing the United States. The 30-year-old will represent the USA for his second time, having also competed in Olympic Games Tokyo after clinching a spot over 11-time World Champion Kelly Slater.
Hawaiian-born Florence has been a prominent figure in the surfing world from a young age. His journey to the top began when he became the youngest competitor to surf in the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing at the age of 13. This early success was a sign of things to come, with Florence securing his first WSL World Champion title in 2016.
In 2017, Florence continued his winning streak, claiming his second consecutive World Champion title. His consistent performances and dedication to the sport have seen him remain at the top of the rankings, with numerous event wins to his name, even after sustaining repeated injuries, which required serious rehabilitation.
Surfing will return to the Olympic Games after making its 2020 Olympic debut in Tokyo. The 2024 Olympics will be held on the French Polynesian island of Tahiti at Teahupo'o, the iconic wave known for massive barrels, heavy drops, and a shallow reef. This will be familiar to the WSL surfers as it is the featured stop on the WSL CT and the next stop on the 2023 CT season.
The WSL CT, the highest level of competitive surfing that crowns the World Champions, is surfing's tier-one qualifier for the 2024 Olympic Games. WSL will provisionally qualify the first ten men and eight women for Paris 2024. Learn more about Surfing's Olympic Qualification process.
Watch Florence compete at the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro from August 11 - 20, 2023. Once called on, the competitions will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL's YouTube Channel, and the free WSL app. Check out more ways to watch from the WSL's broadcast partners here.