AFP photographer Jerome Brouillet knew he was in for a show when Brazilian surfing superstar Gabriel Medina paddled into a monstrous wave at Tahiti’s infamous Teahupo’o break. Little did he know his next shot would go viral, becoming a defining image of the 2024 Olympics and the sport itself.
Brouillet, positioned strategically on a nearby boat, wasn’t aiming to capture the initial action. He was waiting for the moment Medina would “kick out” – the final, dramatic exit from the wave. “I knew Gabriel Medina, especially at Teahupo’o, would do something spectacular,” Brouillet explained. “The only tricky part is not knowing exactly where he’ll exit the wave. I’m kind of blind on the boat!”
Brouillet’s patience paid off. He caught Medina at the perfect moment: soaring ramrod-straight above the churning water, one finger triumphantly pointing skyward, his surfboard held high. “I think he knew he’d just conquered one of the biggest waves of the day,” Brouillet said of Medina’s celebratory gesture.
While Brouillet suspected he had something special, the full impact wouldn’t be clear until later. “I don’t shoot in burst mode at Teahupo’o,” he admitted. “Too many photos in a day, you know? This time I got four shots of him out of the water, and one of them was this magic photo.”
The magic quickly spread. Media outlets worldwide used the image, and online platforms exploded with millions of shares and likes. “This may well be the greatest sports photo of all time,” declared Australian media giant News.com.au. TIME magazine called it “the defining image of triumph of the 2024 Summer Games.” Medina himself posted the photo on Instagram, amassing over 2.4 million likes.
Brouillet, however, had little time to celebrate. With the competition still ongoing, his focus remained on capturing more Olympic magic. “I have to be up at five a.m. tomorrow if the event continues,” he explained. “So, a quiet night at a friend’s place near Teahupo’o for now.”
Brouillet’s dedication and strategic positioning paid off in capturing a shot that transcended the moment. It’s a testament to both photographer’s skill and athlete’s mastery that this image will forever be synonymous with the Paris 2024 Olympics.
