They want to protect the Tahitian site of Teahupoo as best as possible. The NGO Surfrider Foundation called on Saturday for the IOC to look into other competition sites which could host the surfing events of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“We urge the International Olympic Committee to explore other solutions, including alternative competition venues,” write the European and American branches of the Surfrider Foundation in a joint statement.
“We urge the International Olympic Committee, and all other interests at stake, to respect the interests and traditions of the indigenous and local Tahitians who live in Teahupoo and to explore alternatives that will protect the health and integrity of this unique marine ecosystem,” the NGO also declares.
The Surfrider Foundation urges the Olympic Committee to protect Teahupo’o reefs, provide greater transparency, and actively involve the local community. We are opposed to any new construction that endangers the reef and lagoon ecosystem. Learn more: pic.twitter.com/bqwW2JwwNY
— Surfrider Foundation (@Surfrider) December 8, 2023
Chosen in 2020, the Teahupoo site, known worldwide for its famous wave and its transparent waters, has for months been at the heart of tensions between the Polynesian government, the organizers of the Olympic Games and the local populations. The replacement of a wooden tower with an aluminum structure for the judges particularly focuses tensions.
Broken coral during technical tests
During technical tests on December 1, filmed by environmental defense associations, a barge planned for the installation of this new tower broke coral, pushing the Polynesian government to pause the work. The decision was welcomed on Wednesday by the International Surfing Federation (ISA).
“The credibility of current construction plans was undermined when an empty construction barge ran aground on the reef during a recent site visit,” Surfrider said.
The initial project to install an aluminum judges’ tower to replace the wooden one – which was no longer up to standard, according to the organizers – had raised strong opposition, with associations believing that it risked degrading the seabed.
In mid-November, the organizers and the Polynesian government therefore revised their copy with a project for a lighter tower in order to “limit environmental damage as much as possible”. The Polynesian government decided to suspend work on the site after the barge test.
“We all regret this test which went poorly last week,” said the president of the Olympic organizing committee, Tony Estanguet, on Thursday. “Today, with the Polynesian government, we are trying to find new technical solutions to carry out this work while respecting the environment,” he explained.
