It’s not just the rain that has been falling for several weeks in Tahiti, causing floods and evacuations. An immense flood of criticism has also fallen on the organization of the Olympic surfing event, scheduled for Teahupoo. A legendary wave, in a heavenly place, what more could you ask for? Respect the ecosystem, perhaps. Yes, because by wanting to install a new judges’ tower in the middle of the lagoon, the organizers decided to sacrifice a few corals on the altar of Olympism.
And it was not the test planned last Friday by the organizers, before launching work to install this famous tower, which reassured everyone. Finally, a test… “They decided to do a pre-test on the sly without warning anyone, the day before the official outing planned for the tests with the associations,” explains Cindy Otcenasek, president of the association for the defense of environment Vai Ara o Tehaupoo and member of the Mata Ara ia Teahupoo 2024 collective. This test turned out to be a fiasco since their stubbornness in passing a barge destroyed coral in its path. »
“Like nags”
“They went there like fools,” illustrates Michaël Vautor, boss of Teahupoo Excursion Taxi Boat, which brings tourists and surfers to THE wave. They should have hired a local pilot, notified the associations, not done this behind everyone’s backs and showed up with a barge that has far too deep a draft. » As a result, the work, which was to begin on Monday, was postponed to the cheers of the International Surfing Federation, and discontent intensified, particularly among environmental protectors, some even raising the possibility that the ordeal don’t argue in Teahupoo or, worse, not in Tahiti.
A hypothesis reinforced by the words of Moetai Brotherson, the president of French Polynesia, on the plateau of TNTV : “If, in the end, there is no solution, we will have to ask ourselves the question of the sustainability of these surfing events at Teahupoo. » It was enough for the alert to ring out in the towns which had applied to host the event: Hossegor (Landes), Lacanau (Gironde), Biarritz (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) and La Torche ( Finistère).
The state of mind is to say, if we applied, it is because we wanted these Games, explains Stéphane Le Doaré, mayor of Pont-L’Abbé and president of the community of communes of the Country Bigouden South. I would like, if we have to find a plan B, for Cojo to call us quickly, because I’m not even sure that in five or six months, it would be technically feasible. We can look, but you have to tell us within ten days. Afterwards, it will not be technically possible. We are undoubtedly the site, in terms of carbon footprint and respect for nature, that is closest to Teahupoo. »
Too much at stake not to get used to Tahiti
The Bretons should see the Olympic flame, but it will be on May 7. For the surfing event, it seems much more complicated. Not that La Torche lacks assets, we would love to go on vacation there, but abandoning Teahupoo would represent a huge snub for Paris 2024, in addition to not being the wish of the majority of Polynesians. “Overall, among elected officials and Tahitians, there is a desire to continue to host the Olympics, but there is a big problem with how to do it,” assures Michaël Vautor. The barge hit wasn’t great. We are happy to host the Olympics, but we want it to be done properly. »
This is a bit the leitmotif of the Vai ara o Teahupoo association and the Mata ara ia Teahupoo 2024 collective, who ardently protest against this new judges’ tower and have proposed several solutions, with a technical study report drawn up by a design office. approved studies and pressuremeter studies are key. “Teahupoo can host these games if the organizers agree to set up their aluminum tower on land,” explains Cindy Otcenasek. Or agree to reuse existing foundations [qui servent pour la Tahiti Pro, l’épreuve de coupe du monde]. We remain hopeful that Paris 2024 and the IOC will demonstrate understanding. »
Especially since, beyond the judges’ tower, other important work has already been carried out with a view to hosting this Olympic event, such as the development of the marina, and the locals have also become involved. “People have been preparing for a year and a half, two years. We are going to have 300 Olympic staff members who will be staying with locals, so people have developed their homes. These are investments made by locals which are not insignificant. It shouldn’t go in the trash. »
A wish also expressed by Tetuanui Hamblin, mayor of Taiarapu West, the municipality on which Teahupoo depends, on TNTV : “We need to see the entire population who have prepared. Those who invested to be able to accommodate people, the houses which were rented. If we cancel these Olympics, I don’t know how they will react. There is a proverb that says: “All things are possible to him who believes.” I hope the tower will be put in place. There are still preparations to be made in terms of security and layout for this big day. » Like a giant screen to see the surfing event taking place at La Torche?