Caroline Marks on the (Literal) Weight of an Olympic Surfing Gold Medal

From the cockpit, the Air France pilot announced: “Allo everyone. Ve are pleased to announce ve have ze gold medalist onboard today for ze flight, Caroline Marks!”

The whole cabin went wild. Cheers, applause, hooting and hollering.

It was the day after the Finals at Teahupo’o, Tahiti for the Paris 2024 Olympics, and Marks had just won Gold. The American defeated Brazil’s Tatiana Weston-Webb in a nail-biter, medal-crowning heat. And Tati was on the flight back from Papeete to Los Angeles, too. (Awkward.)

Before the flight, many surfers, surfers’ handlers, filmers, photographers, journalists (myself included) arrived before dawn at Faa’a International Airport. The hangover – both from the post-event celebrations, and the emotions of 10 days at surfing’s biggest event ever – was serious.

With a much-needed coffee in hand, and a blueberry muffin for good measure, I pulled Caroline aside to ask her for one more interview, post-victory. As is her cordial nature, she gladly obliged.

SURFER: How’re you feeling, Caroline?

Marks: I’m feeling good. I’m hanging in there.

It’s only been a mere matter of hours since you won. Have you processed it all yet? Where’s your mind at right now?

There’s obviously a lot of emotion. I don’t know if it’s fully sunken in yet. I think it might take a while. I’m feeling the high right now, so I’m just going to live that out. It’s taking a moment for me to realize this whole thing, but I’m really just trying to be in the moment.

Related: Caroline Marks Wins Women’s Olympic Surfing Gold Medal

You’re right. The emotions were high yesterday [Finals Day]. Of course, there was the surfing, but then the medal crowning, and the national anthem playing. But what about last night? Did you get any sleep?

Honestly, I didn’t get much sleep last night. I had to pack all my stuff, and the media finished pretty late, so I was packing with a headlamp on. It was pretty funny, actually. Then, we all went out to La Manoa. We were there until pretty late, so I barely slept. Then, my airport pickup was at 3:30am this morning. So, yeah, no sleep.

How was the party?

It was really fun. A really good sendoff for the whole event. I’m sure the celebrations will continue when I get home, so I’m really excited for that, too.

Talk about the adrenaline. Are you still running high right now, or has it come down a little bit?

Definitely still running on adrenaline. That’s probably also part of the reason why I didn’t sleep last night. I was on such a high. Sometimes after a contest – no matter how I do – it’s hard to sleep. When you reach your goal, it makes it even harder to sleep. But it’s a good thing.

So, the real question is, where’s the precious cargo right now: the Gold Medal?

My mom has it somewhere in her bag. She’s just over there keeping it safe.

Related: Do Olympians Get Money for Winning a Gold Medal? (It Depends)

You didn’t wanna rock it around your neck while walking through the airport?

No, I didn’t. It’s still here with me, though. I was wearing it last night during dinner, so that was cool. Maybe I’ll wear it when I get home.

Do you have to declare a Gold Medal when you get home at customs?

I don’t know, actually…I guess we’re gonna find out when we arrive in LA!

Were you surprised about the weight of the medal?

Yeah, I was. When I got it, it was even cooler than I imagined. And to have a piece of the Eiffel Tower in there, that’s just so, so cool. It’s a lot heavier than I thought. Having it around your neck, it’s actually pretty heavy.

Speaking of going home, how’re you feeling about all the celebrations to come?

I’m super excited. I can’t wait to see all my friends, and my other family members when I arrive. I’m pumped for that. It’ll be a good flight home; hopefully I can get some sleep. The Mayor of San Clemente just texted me. That’s so crazy to say that out loud. But I’m really just excited to see all my friends.

Congrats, Caroline. Well deserved.

Thank you so much!

Related: Gallery: Intimate Moments from Surfing’s Historic Paris 2024 Olympics Finale

Stay tuned for more coverage of Caroline’s triumphant return (and the celebrations) to San Clemente, California.