Tahitian Surfers Share Petition to Protect Teahupo'o from $5 Million Olympic Tower (Clip)

We reported yesterday that Tahitians peacefully protested the $5 million aluminum judging tower 2024 Olympic Games organizers plan to construct at Teahupo'o.

Protesters say the new tower will damage the reef, ecosystem, and possibly the wave itself.

Today, Tahitian pro surfer Matahi Drollet announced a petition against the tower that proposes to use the "usual wooden tower" for next year's Olympics.

Drollet captioned the post above:

"We need your help in order to stop the upcoming destruction of the reef. NO to the NEW ALUMINUM TOWER Please sign the petition link is in my BIO"

In his video Drollet explains:

"Hi Guys, I'm making this video because I need your help.

"Yesterday we did the protest against the new aluminum tower they want to build on the reef right in front of the wave. The problem is simple.

"In order to have the Olympics in Teahupo'o, Paris 2024 wants to replace the normal tower with the new aluminum tower that has new concrete foundations just because they want air conditioning, toilets, this new construction is going to destroy a big part of the reef.

"The risks are simple and nasty: destruction of the reef and a very bad impact on the marine ecosystem that could stress the whole marine life and spread what is called the ciguatera. Ciguatera is a disease that poisons all the fish. Teahupo'o is a town of fisherman who eat their own fish and lives off selling them.

"And last but not least, it could modify or change our wave and in the worst case scenario, make it disappear in a few years. They've been using, judging, filming and doing live s from this actual tower for the professional WSL contest for the last 15 years.

"The impact and the risk are too important for only three days of contest. This message is for Paris 2024.

"I went on your website and you guys are promoting your environmental commitments. Are you guys going to respect that?"

You can view the petition here.

The surf community quickly showed support on Drollet's post and the petition.

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