<div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>UPDATE 19th DEC: </div><div><br /></div><div><strong>The ISA will not support the construction of the new aluminum judges’ tower at Teahupo’o (Tahiti)</strong></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On December 9th, the ISA sent a proposal to the French Polynesian Government and Paris 2024 organizers to run the Olympic Surfing competition in Teahupoo, without building a new aluminum tower on the reef.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The ISA proposal included judging the competition remotely, with live images shot from land, water and drones.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Subsequently the French Polynesian Government decided to go forward with a plan to build a new aluminum tower on the reef.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The determination that the existing wooden judging tower, used up until August 2023, was not legally compliant, was taken by the Government of French Polynesia.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We are ready to work together with all the stakeholders in the best interests of the sport, the environment and the local community.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The ISA proposal can be found in the link (<a href="https://isasurf.org/event/paris-2024/" target="_blank">here)</a>.</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>*****</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">6th Dec</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As an International Olympic Federation, the ISA is responsible for the Olympic surfing competitions. Venue facilities and infrastructure are the responsibility of Paris 2024 Organizing Committee in coordination with the French Polynesian government.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The determination that the old judging tower was not legally compliant was taken by the government of French Polynesia. As a result, the French Polynesian government and Paris 2024 decided to build a new tower.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">From the beginning of the proposal to host Olympic surfing in French Polynesia, the ISA has always insisted that the protection of the natural environment in Teahupo’o is a priority. This vision was agreed and is shared by all parties.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The French Polynesian government has taken the decision to pause all further testing and preparations to draw lessons following the incident on the reef. The ISA welcomes this decision, and has urged intensified consultations to consider all available options.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As life-long surfers, we are passionate about the need to protect the oceans, for us and for future generations. We are therefore committed to working with all parties in order to find a common agreement on running the competition while protecting the local, natural environment.</div><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;">*****</p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>To help get the local Tahitians and the environment's voices heard you can also Take Action by signing the petition HERE:</div><div><a href="https://www.change.org/p/faatura-ia-teahupo-o" target="_blank">https://www.change.org/p/faatura-ia-teahupo-o</a></div>