“Lying to Us”: Triggered Locals Take a Dig at Authorities Over Paris Olympics Surfing Tower

At the onset of the Paris Olympics 2024, the hosting committee maintained a steady flow in developing the game destinations. In fact, the chief authority of the Olympics has invited the hosting committee to update about the proceedings. But, in between all these, a surfing destination 15700 kilometers away from Paris has raised several uncomfortable questions. 

The place, Teahupo’o is famous for surfing and natural flora and fauna. However, several local residents upped their voices after the Olympic hosting committee’s development in the place. Even after assurance from the hosting committee, the recent movements in the matter have raised grave concerns. 

Olympic hosting committee’s effort under scanner 

The Olympic hosting committee chose the Polynesian village, Teahupo’o, as the surfing ground for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The committee had proposed to replace the old wooden pillar with a new 46-foot aluminum one to hold the competition there. However, this decision faced flak from the concerted voices, as the proposed development would have jeopardized the local coral reef. After facing a standdown, the hosting committee promised to return with a better replacement. But Matahi Drollet, the avant-garde of the Save Teahupo’o movement, has taken to the IG showing his despair at the reformed decision of the Olympic hosting committee. He has lambasted the new decision, saying, “This is sad and unfair because once again nature will lose another battle”. He also accused the authorities are “lying” in the matter.

Taking a stand on the matter, the Olympic Hosting Committee clarified in its press release, “Based on thorough analysis of the different options and the priorities shared by the various stakeholders, the project for a new tower that is less imposing and substantially reduced in size and weight was judged to be the best option. This presents the advantage of being able to reduce the depth of drilling for the foundations of the tower and allow the use of a barge with a shallower draught during the construction phase.” 

However, as per Matahi, the new proposed development would still need 12 new footings and 56 upgraded holes, which might not be feasible for the coral reef’s present situation. 

The surfing destination of Teahupo’o 

The surf culture in Teahupo’o dates back to long due to its unique accommodation. The wave in Teahupo’o just flies over a semi-circular coral reef. This reef delivers a shallow depth, and the transition follows a steep height difference in the reef. That’s the reason for swells to serve a bigger height and a vertical wave formation on the platter. 

Read more: “Those Waves Are Bloody Huge”: Surfing Star’s Close Brush With Wipeout in Heart-Pounding Footage Leaves Fans in State of Shock

However, the coral reef here is too sharp, often causing cuts and bruises. But the unique curling-lipped wave makes the place more of a surfing destination. However, Matahi and his team have been trying to keep the coral reef intact as it is part of the natural standout of the place. Initially, they started to petition and collected over 100000 signatures protesting against the Olympic hosting committee’s decision. 

The latest decision of the committee seems to face yet another protest from the local residents, surfing, and pro-environmentalist communities. 

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