Construction of aluminum tower suspended in Tahiti for Olympic surf competition due to coral reef damage

CNN
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The International Surf Association welcomed the suspension of construction on the aluminum tower Paris 2024 Olympics A surfing competition in Tahiti, French Polynesia, has raised concerns about the environmental impact of preparations for next year’s event.

Tehubo, Tahiti, 9,759 miles from Paris, is considered one of the best surf spots in the world and is home to the World Surf League (WSL) tour tournaments, where the tree structure is usually erected for competitions and then removed.

However, Olympic organizers’ plans to build an aluminum tower to house 40 people to referee and televise the competition have met with opposition from local and pro surfers.

In November, Olympic organizers said they had modified the tower’s original design „Very moderate.” The tower, which originally weighed 14 tonnes, will now weigh nine tonnes, although the foundation still needs to be drilled.

A Petition Residents and visitors to Teehooboom called on the government to reconsider the tower, as well as a site for surfing competitions and drilling underwater pipes, which has garnered more than 181,000 signatures.

However, controversy over the structure continues to bubble: A video released Saturday by Save Tehupo’o Reef showed evidence of a rock and broken coral used to build the reef.

„ISA is saddened and surprised to learn that coral reefs in Tehupovo were damaged by a boat as a result of an inspection by the Government of French Polynesia,” the ISA said in a statement. Report On Wednesday, the French Polynesian government made the decision to suspend all tests and preparations to learn lessons following the incident on the reef.

„The ISA welcomes this decision and has urged serious consultation to consider all available options.”

Surfer Kanoa Igarashi was one of the surfers who spoke about the construction of the aluminum tower, posting on Instagram: „After watching yesterday’s video, I realized how much damage this 'new tower’ is causing.”

„I was hoping they would consider the local environment more. But I guess wrong … all for a two-day event and not much future benefit to the local community,” Igarashi said on Sunday, then redistributed.

„The Olympic Games should make society a better place than it was before, but this move doesn’t show that in my opinion. I hope we can all find a solution,” he added.

Meanwhile, 11-time world champion Kelly Slater has criticized the revised plans for the site. Commenting „It doesn’t make sense to need such a large tower for a two-day event.”

In a statement to CNN, the World Surf League said it is „concerned about the damage to the reefs at Teahupo’o as work continues to build a new tower for the 2024 Olympics.”

„We continue to believe it is important for organizers to engage and listen to local communities as they consider their decisions regarding the Olympic Games on this iconic wave,” the World Surf League statement added.

Campaigners and local residents have long raised concerns about the impact of the new structure on the environment.

Astrid Drollet, secretary of the Vai Ara O Teahupo’o Association behind the Save Teahupo’o Reef petition, told CNN that the existing wooden tower „has been in use for 20 years and is very well maintained.”

„So we don’t understand why Paris 2024 and French Polynesia didn’t use this tower for these four days of competition,” he said, adding that the new tower „is going to cause a lot of damage to the environment.”

Alexandra Dempsey, a coral reef ecologist and CEO of the Khalid bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation, said the tower could damage the coral formations that make Tahiti a great destination for professional surfing.

„The local communities there are incredibly emotionally and culturally tied to the ocean, especially the reef systems and the rock systems that cause wave action in that area. The perfect wave…

„You’re not only really damaging the ecology of the reef, you’re also damaging the structure there, and that site has been able to generate spectacular waves. And we’re not sure what the consequences or fallout will be from damaging the reef system there,” he added.

According to Tahiti’s tourism board, French Polynesia is home to over 1,000 species of fish and 150 species of coral. Coral reefs are a highly protected species threatened by the effects of climate change and mass tourism.

„The French Polynesian government and Paris 2024 are developing solutions to erect a new tower that is reduced in size and weight,” according to a statement sent to CNN from Paris 2024.

„This was the result of a joint effort by Paris 2024 and the French Polynesian government to reduce the tower’s impact on the natural environment.

“Technical meetings are organized with all those involved in the project and led by the on-site project manager to help find solutions quickly.

„With less than a year to go until the surfing events in Tehupo, those involved in the project reaffirm more than ever their willingness to work transparently with associations to ensure the Paris 2024 Games are a success for French Polynesia.