Jerome Brouillet / AFP captured an illustrative photo of spectators on boats during a competition in Teahupo’o, French Polynesia, on August 19, 2022. The construction of the controversial Olympic Games tower has begun in Polynesia after months of controversy. The initial phase of the construction proceeded peacefully, without any activism. However, as warned by environmental organizations, there were damages to the corals in Teahupo’o.
As shown in a report by the local TNTV Tahiti channel, workers installed the first foundations of the judges’ tower in the turquoise water. The spokesperson for the project, Moana David, acknowledged some minor damages to the corals, stating that nature will heal itself and corals will regrow without intervention. Local surfer Pascal Luciani downplayed the impact on corals, despite their importance as biodiversity reservoirs.
Teahupo’o, known for its famous wave and clear waters, previously had a wooden tower for surf competitions judges, which no longer met standards. This led to the decision to replace it with an aluminum structure, sparking backlash from environmental activists. An online petition against the tower attracted over 250,000 signatures.
In December, a video showing accidental coral damage during a test further fueled opposition. The French Polynesia government suspended the construction, raising doubts about hosting the event. However, a revised project with a lighter and lower tower supervised by local surfers led to calmness and acceptance.
The surf competition of the Olympic Games is scheduled from July 27 to 30, with possible extension until August 5. The remaining tower construction will take place on land starting on March 11, with a final delivery planned for May 13. This aligns with the Tahiti Pro, an annual competition of the World Surf League.
