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An Olympic surfing judge has been removed from the panel after a photo now circulating social media was deemed “inappropriate.” The picture was taken of judge Benjamin Lowe as he posed alongside Australian surfer Ethan Ewing and coach Bede Durbidge.
“These three Straddie [Stradbroke Island] boys doing their stuff at the Olympics,” the caption read with Lowe arm in arm with the duo.
Lowe, an Australian himself, quickly caught blowback from the post.
An Australian surfing judge has been removed from The Olympics’ judging panel after a photo circulated online of him embracing an Australian competitor in Tahiti this week.
A commentator shared the photo on his social media showing judge Benjamin Lowe posing alongside Ethan… pic.twitter.com/lSAQ0cMQAI
— 9News Australia (@9NewsAUS) August 1, 2024
“How can a guy who is going to judge surfing scores have a photo hugging a competitor?” one social media user asked after seeing the photo go public.
The International Surfing Association agreed.
“It is inappropriate for a judge to be interacting in this manner with an athlete and their team,” the ISA wrote in a statement.
The surfing judge has been removed mid-event.
The move was made to “protect the integrity and fairness of the ongoing competition.” It was made in accordance with the ISA’s code of conduct, as well as the Olympic Committee’s code of ethics.
Thursday marked Day 5 of the 10-day surfing window. To this point, Australians Jack Robinson and Ethan Ewing, the surfer pictured in the photo, remain in the competition after their performances in previous runs.
Each is scheduled to compete Thursday.
This is far from the only controversy seen at the Olympic Games in Paris thus far. US tennis star Coco Gauff saw her run come to an end earlier this week, with that exit perhaps aided by a chair official’s overturned ruling.
In table tennis, World No. 1 Wang Chaqin was upset in the Round of 32 after his playing paddle was damaged by a photographer during celebration.
It will be interesting to see how the surfing competition moves forward following the recent dismissal.
