On one side, associations stand up against an aluminum tower, embedded in the coral, intended to accommodate the judges of the Olympic surfing competition in the summer of 2024 and the cameras for global broadcasting. On the other, engineers, companies, those responsible for the future construction site… and technical tests which broke blocks of coral before the eyes of environmentalists, around ten days earlier.
Between them, at the end of the table, Moetai Brotherson plays mediator. On her right, the Minister of Sports. On her left, the chief of staff of the High Commission, the representation of France in this overseas community. But the Polynesian president is the only one to respond to the associations’ concerns. For nearly five hours, he explained the project, largely revised following the protests. “The solution that we managed to get adopted this [dimanche 10 décembre] evening allows the Olympics to be held here”welcomed Mr. Botherson.
The tower will be lower and lighter than expected. The barges intended for the work will be smaller. The marking will be supervised by Pascal Luciani and Moana David, two local surfing figures, experts in the spot. The drilling will be finer. Work will resume on Monday.
Investigation by the Papeete public prosecutor’s office
Not enough to convince the Vai ara o Teahupoo association, which is leading the revolt and campaigning against new foundations. Its president, Cindy Otcenasek, regrets the abandonment of the wooden tower, used for twenty years and which resisted the red codes, the powerful waves during which launching was prohibited. She refuses new foundations, and fears further damage in the lagoon.
1er December, the barge planned for the work hit the coral while trying to reach the location planned for the tower. President Brotherson announced the suspension of work a few hours later. An investigation into this environmental attack was ordered by the Papeete public prosecutor’s office.
During Sunday’s meeting, the Polynesian president recalled the sums already invested in the Games by Polynesia: 30 million euros so far and 9 million euros in the 2024 budget.
“In absolute terms, if there weren’t the Olympics, you can imagine that I would have preferred to build social housing or schools” he admitted, recalling that the decision had been taken by the previous government. “But if we don’t do it, we will have spent 4.8 billion Pacific francs (40 million euros) and we will have to finance additional developments in a new destination” he warned,
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