Barge for Olympic Surf Tower Construction Damages Tahiti Reef

Local residents and environmental groups protest, citing concerns over potential harm to the ecosystem.

A barge intended for building a judging tower for the Paris 2024 Olympic surfing competition in Tahiti has reportedly damaged a reef near the contest site.
Local residents and environmental groups have protested against the construction of the 14-metre high aluminum tower, arguing it could harm the local ecosystem.
The barge became stuck on the reef several times, causing damage to the coral, according to a video posted by the Save Teahupo'o Reef coalition.
Despite the incident, Paris 2024 and the French Polynesia government maintain that building a smaller, lighter tower is the best option, but it still requires new foundations in the reef.
Local Tahitian and French Olympic surfing team qualifier, Vahine Fierro, expressed concerns over the incident, urging for adaptation to Polynesian ecosystem norms.