Tragedy strikes Teahupoo ahead of Paris 2024 Games after Australian surf photographer pulled unconscious from water

“It’s a wave of consequences, so I’m not going to say I’m not scared, I am.”

The surfing world collectively held its breath, two weeks ago, when Australian Tyler Wright withdrew from the Brazilian leg of the World Surf League’s Championship Tour, citing an “unspecified injury.” The two-time world champion, currently ranked 10th in the world, has nearly too many obstacles to count about her professional surfing journey, including constant choking, the African flu that led to post-viral syndrome, a father who forced her to surf, and the burden of being the only openly gay surfer at the highest level of competition, to name a few.

The Vivo Rio Pro’s absence is a big deal in itself, but it’s even more serious in light of the upcoming Surfing Olympics, being held in Tahiti.

Surfing Australia put a brave face on the situation and released a statement saying: “Tyler has been advised by her doctors and specialists that she requires treatment and would prefer to sit out Brazil. Tyler is 100% ready for the Olympics.”

While there may be doubts (Tyler Wright may be 98% ready for the Olympics), the team had Sally Fitzgibbons ready as a replacement.

A few hours ago, Wright revealed the devastating diagnosis that kept her from Brazil.

Problems with balance.

No further details were given, whether it is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, vestibular neuritis, Meniere’s disease or Ramsay Hunt syndrome, for example, but the brave Wright appears to be setting out to Guardian that it was a “difficult decision” to go to Teahupo’o, but that she is excited and ready.

“It’s a wave of consequences, so I’m not going to say I’m not scared, I am,” she said. “I’ve done a lot of things over the years to deal with it, but at the same time I don’t think it’s that complicated; you either go or you don’t, and you make that decision at that moment.”

Wright isn’t exactly a favorite, but her hero’s journey will undoubtedly be inspiring. And isn’t that what the Olympics are all about?

Very exciting.

Of course I will be capturing all the action from the starting point, almost 10,000 miles away in Paris, and I will certainly be keeping up to date with all developments as opening day approaches.

Miraculous medical.