The first stage of the construction of the very controversial judges’ tower for the surfing event of the Paris Olympic Games took place calmly this week on the Teahupo’o site, in Polynesia, noted a journalist from the ‘AFP. The foundations of the tower are now complete and the assembly of the judges’ tower, pre-built on dry land, is due to begin on March 11. Delivery is scheduled for May 13, a few days before the Tahiti Pro, an annual World Surf League competition.
On this Teahupo’o site, known worldwide for its famous wave and its transparent waters, the replacement of a wooden tower, which no longer met standards, with an aluminum structure fueled strong tensions, particularly on the part of environmental defenders. A petition against the construction of this facility has gathered more than 250,000 signatories.
“Return to appeasement”
In December, the broadcast of a video showing a barge accidentally breaking coral amplified the anger of opponents. The government of French Polynesia had openly questioned the holding of the test, then revised the initial project. Its president Moetai Brotherson had announced the construction of a lighter and lower tower, under the supervision of two figures respected by local surfers, Pascal Luciani and Moana David.
“The supervision of the construction site by the teams who have been building the tower for 20 years, the opening of the information kiosk and local consultation on ‘environmental and heritage’ issues have promoted a return to calm,” said Friday ( Saturday in Paris) to AFP Barbara Martins Nio, head of the Tahiti site for Cojo, the Games organizing committee. “We gave up on the matter”, however regretted to AFP Cindy Otsenasek, president of Vai Ara o Teahupoo, the association most mobilized against the work, which considers having done “everything that was possible within the limits of legality.”
During the last weeks of work, “there have been fourteen impacts on the coral, it’s not much”, declared Pascal Luciani. “Nature will always take back its rights, even without coral cuttings,” added Moana David.
The Olympic surfing event is scheduled for July 27 to 30, with a possible extension until August 5 if the swell is delayed. Two Polynesian surfers, Kauli Vaast and Vahine Fierro, will wear the colors of France.