(Reuters) -A barge planned for use building a controversial judging tower for the Paris 2024 Olympic surfing competition in Tahiti snagged on a reef and damaged coral near the contest site on Friday, local opponents said. Residents of Teahupo'o in October protested plans by Games organisers to build the 14-metre (45-foot) aluminium tower to enable up to 40 people to watch, film and judge the surfing at a famed break in front of the village. Organisers including Paris 2024 and the French Polynesia government said last month they had decided building a smaller, lighter tower on the site was the best option, allowing for smaller equipment to install it - but still requiring new foundations in the reef.
Residents of the Tahitian village that will host the 2024 Olympic surfing event remain opposed to plans to build a new smaller judging tower on the reef, saying it will still damage corals and risk the health of the lagoon. Locals from Teahupo'o last month protested plans by Games organisers to build a new 14 metre aluminium tower and a permanent 800m service pipeline to enable up to 40 people to watch, film and judge the surfing competition. Games organisers including Paris 2024 and the French Polynesia government said this month they had decided building a new tower that is "less imposing and substantially reduced in size and weight" was the best option, after discussing issues raised by various stakeholders.
Organizers of next year's Paris Olympics are scaling back the metal tower they plan to build for judges and television cameras at the picture-perfect surfing venue in Tahiti. Islanders pushed for the Olympics to use a wooden tower on existing foundations that's long been the set-up for surfing competitions at Teahupo’o. Tahitian surfer Matahi Drollet has been among opponents of the metal tower.
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