On December 6, the International Surfing Federation welcomed the decision to suspend operations at Teahupo’o. Finally, on Sunday (this Monday Paris time), the President of Polynesia announces that the Olympic surfing competition will be able to be held at this site for several months amid tensions between the authorities and the organizers of the Olympic Games (JO) and the local population.
“The decision we were able to make tonight allows the Olympic Games to be held here and the WSL (World Surf League) to support the annual world tour,” Moetai Brotherson rejoiced after a meeting with environmental organizations. associations. Organizers, elected officials and associations advocating for the Olympic surfing site were scheduled to meet on Sunday to discuss progress, among other things.
Functioning tower 13 May
The replacement of the wooden referee tower with an aluminum structure has been a source of tension for several months. During technical testing on December 1, the barge on which this new tower was planned to be installed broke coral, forcing the Polynesian government to suspend work. But Moetai Brotherson unveiled a schedule on Sunday that would see the tower operational on May 13, days before the WSL World Tour stops. The competition will serve as a test before the Olympic Games in July.
The Polynesian President was pleased to receive “the unanimous support of all the mayors, the surfing federation and even the associations, except one surfer who thinks he represents the surfing community.”
Sports, Olympic and Paralympic Games Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera expressed regret over the testing conditions last week. “There was a test that clearly was not well prepared and could not be carried out properly and unfortunately damaged pieces of coral, which is obviously quite unfortunate.” “The next test must be carefully prepared. »
She also denied there was any Plan B. “We are on a path that is actually the right path to build a new, resized judges’ tower” and that meets “the requests of local residents.”
Source: Le Parisien
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