US surfers Griffin Colapinto, John John Florence feeling patriotic before Olympics: 'Being a proud American'

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Griffin Colapinto and John John Florence might not be with their fellow United States Olympians in Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics, but their pride to represent the country will be on full display in the waters of Tahiti. 

The surfing competition for both men and women will be held in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia. Colapinto and Florence are there with the World Surf League for its latest event, and they're taking note of the swell, breaks and everything else in the water, knowing they will be competing for Olympic medals later this year. 

For Florence, this will be his second Olympics representing the U.S., after competing in Japan in 2021. He's not only stoked to be wearing the American flag on his suit again. He's also excited to represent Hawaii, his home he knows has so much history attached to the Olympics.

"I think representing your country and representing the place you're from — me being from Hawaii, which is the epicenter of surfing," he told Fox News Digital of why he's excited ahead of the Shiseido Tahiti Pro event in the WSL. 

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Griffin Colapinto of the United States surfs in heat 3 of the round of 16 at the Outerknown Tahiti Pro Aug. 18, 2022, at Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia. (Damien Poullenot/World Surf League)

"And there's so much history with the Olympics and Hawaii, having 'The Duke' (Duke Kahanamoku) being a gold medalist in swimming and kinda being the grandfather of surfing. There's a lot of meaning and a lot of power behind it. I definitely love to represent the place that I come from, the place that raised me and supported me. Everything from