Olympic Surfing to Proceed in French Polynesia Amid Environmental Concerns

Preparations resume after a solution is found to the row over coral reef damage, with a smaller barge located to avoid further harm.

Preparations for the Olympic surfing competition in French Polynesia are set to resume after a halt due to concerns over damage to the coral reef.
The president of French Polynesia, Moetai Brotherson, has announced a solution to the row between organizers, authorities, and environmental groups, allowing the games to proceed as planned.
Work had stopped after a test of a barge meant to transport a judging tower resulted in damage to the coral reef.
A smaller barge has now been located to avoid further damage to the coral, and a route through the reef to the construction site will be marked out.
The tower is expected to be operational for a surfing competition in May, serving as a test for the venue's readiness for the Olympics in July.