Teahupo'o Outrage Sparks Change: Paris 2024 Plans 'More Moderate' Olympic Tower

Jade Eckardt
·2 min read

Paris 2024 has made a decision regarding the controversial judging tower planned for Teahupo'o.

A "more moderate" aluminum judging tower will be constructed on the reef at Teahupo'o, according to a press release posted online today.

The issue got heated in October when Tahitians peacefully protested the tower and launched a petition that gained over 160,000 signatures. Opponents say the tower will damage the reef, the ecosystem, and possibly the wave itself. They urged the organization to use the existing "minimal impact" wooden tower the World Surf League has used for decades.

Teahupo'o local and surfer Matahi Drollet posted the video above in October, explaining protesters' concerns.

According to the press release, the new judging tower plans include:

  • Reducing the surface area of the new tower to bring it back to the size of the old wooden tower

  • Reducing the weight of the new tower from 14 to 9 tons, bringing it down to the weight of the old wooden tower, reducing the load on the foundations

  • Reducing the number of people and equipment on the tower during the Games to coincide with the number of people present for the WSL (25 to 30 people compared with 40 in the initial project)

  • Adopting a temporary solution for the supply of fiber and electricity, with provision for the removal of the sublagonal cable after the Games

  • Removing drinking water and wastewater connections

  • Reinforcing measures to allow monitoring of the construction site by the public authorities responsible for environmental protection, environmental study organizations, and representatives of associations

The press release also mentioned several other options that were considered as possible solutions, including having judges on shore or boat, constructing a new wooden tower, and reinforcing the existing foundations.

The reasons why they decided against those options are explained in the press release.

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