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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Tiare Tuuhia in Tahiti

World surfing body joins local opposition to controversial new Olympics tower in Tahiti

Officials ride a jet-ski during the Outerknown Tahiti Pro 2022 in Teahupo’o, French Polynesia with the old wooden tower in the background.
The old wooden judges tower in Teahupo’o, French Polynesia. Surfing’s world governing body the ISA says it dose not support the construction of a new aluminium tower. Photograph: Jérôme Brouillet/AFP/Getty Images

Surfing’s world governing body has said it opposes construction of a controversial new judges’ tower for the 2024 Olympics event in Tahiti which has sparked a backlash from locals and environmentalists over fears it could irreparably damage the local coral reef.

“The International Surfing Association (ISA) will not support the construction of the new aluminum judges’ tower at Teahupo’o,” the body said in a statement, a week after construction began.

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