Paris 2024: Olympic surfing event could damage coral reef, say campaigners

Blue waters, sunny weather, and most importantly, big waves - this is the location for the Paris 2024 Olympic surfing event... but it's a long way from Paris

The beautiful location of the surfing competition at the 2024 Olympic Games is special in many ways.

Tahiti, an island in the Pacific Ocean, is part of French Polynesia - a territory of France.

With its lush green forests, crystal-clear turquoise waters and rich cultural history, Tahiti is said to be the inspiration for the fictional island of Motunui, the home of Disney's Moana.

But environmentalists have raised questions about the at-risk coastline and how it might be affected by next year's event.

Surfing is a huge part of life for many people in Tahiti - Teahupo'o has hosted the World Surfing League for 15 years

Some people have already criticised the location of the surfing tournament as it is 9,500 miles from Paris, where the rest of the Olympic Games are being held.

The event organisers have now had to defend their decision to host the surfing competition on the Teahupo'o reef, which they say would require them to build a large metal platform for the judges and other amenities.

Residents are worried about the affect this would have on the coral reef, which is an important habitat for sea life.

More than 150,000 people have signed a petition to stop the construction of the aluminium tower and an underground pipeline.

The wooden structure for judges has been in use for years, but Paris 2024 organisers wish to 'upgrade' the tower

They want the organisers to reuse a wooden structure that has been used for major surfing events held in the area before.

A metal structure, estimated to cost around £5million would require concrete foundations, which campaigners argue would cause more disruption for the reef and cause long term problems for the fish, and harm the fishing industry in the area.

They also said it would affect the surfing conditions themselves, reducing the size of the wave.

The organisers say the stronger tower is safer and would include toilet facilities and provide air conditioning.

Tourism is a big factor in supporting Tahiti's economy, with many surfers flocking to the island every year

Paris 2024 organisers told BBC Sport they were "studying every possible scenario to enable the surfing competitions to take place on this site, which we want to preserve, respect and enhance for the Games".

Teahupo'o is described by the world's top surfers as an exhilarating and unique spot that provides one of the biggest tests in the sport.

A nearby alternative venue might offer a solution with a smaller environmental footprint.

It has been reported that French Polynesia President Moetai Brotherson suggested the event could be moved from Teahupo'o to Taharuu on Tahiti's West coast.

In Taharuu, the break (where the wave is at its most powerful) is closer to the shoreline so no viewing platform would be required for the judges.

More discussions and environmental studies will be carried out in Teahupo'o in the next few weeks.

The Paris 2024 surf event is scheduled to take place over three days at the end of July 2024.