Why a tower is at center of a fierce controversy for Paris 2024?

To build or not to build, that is the question. Over the past few weeks, the destiny of a tower situated at Teahupo'o on the mesmerizing island of French Polynesia has unexpectedly become a topic of intense debate amid the fervent preparations for the forthcoming Paris Olympics. 

For the past two decades, a wooden judges' tower has graced the Teahupo'o landscape, serving as an integral part of professional surfing competitions. Originally intended to oversee the surfing event at the Paris Olympics, concerns have now arisen among Olympic organizers and local government leaders regarding the safety of the aging structure.

Consequently, construction on a new tower has commenced, much to the dismay of local residents and environmentalists who fear the potential irreparable harm it may inflict upon the delicate coral reef that thrives in the area.

In a notable development, the International Surfing Association (ISA) has openly expressed its opposition to the construction of the tower. It has put forth alternative suggestions that prioritize environmental sustainability.

One such proposal entails building the tower on land, while utilizing a combination of live images captured from both land and water, as well as drones, to remotely judge the competition.

Meanwhile, a petition has garnered an impressive count of nearly 230,000 signatures, urging the government to reconsider its plans. Prominent figures within the surfing community, such as Kelly Slater, have also voiced their concerns and joined the chorus of dissent against the proposed construction.  

Despite the mounting backlash, the organizers of Paris 2024 remain steadfast in their decision to construct the tower. They assert in a statement that it is "the only viable option that can ensure the seamless operation of the competition and guarantee the safety of the athletes and all parties involved."

"We respect the almost unanimous decision taken locally to continue with the launch of the construction work," added Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics Organising Committee, at a press conference on Wednesday.  

Estanguet pointed out that the proposal provided by the ISA had been thoroughly examined and ultimately deemed impractical. "It was judged to be not feasible on several fronts," he explained.  

"From a technical standpoint, capturing the necessary images for judging purposes posed significant difficulties. Additionally, concerns were raised regarding the security implications associated with this alternative approach."

As reported by multiple French media outlets, the new tower is anticipated to have a similar size to its predecessor, accommodating around 31 individuals, a slight increase compared to the old tower.  

To assuage the concerns of the local community, the revised design has been scaled down, omitting certain amenities such as flushing toilets and an underground water network. Construction efforts, thus far, have been cautious, with builders carefully charting a safe path through the coral reef to facilitate the arrival of construction barges at the site.  

It's worth noting that French Polynesia boasts a diverse marine ecosystem, with over 1,000 species of fish and 150 species of coral, as highlighted by the local tourism board. The question of whether constructing a potentially detrimental new tower on the island is a justifiable trade-off for the opportunity to host an Olympic event is one that will linger in the collective consciousness for quite some time.