TEAHUPO'O, Tahiti (AP) - A surfing judge has been removed from the judging panel for the Paris Olympics after a photo surfaced online of him embracing a competitor along the shore's edge in Tahiti. The International Surfing Association took swift action to uphold the integrity and fairness of the ongoing competition.

The incident involved Australian judge Benjamin Lowe posing with Australian surfing team member Ethan Ewing and team manager, Bede Durbidge. Following the circulation of the photo on social media, Lowe was removed from the judging panel as per the ISA's code of conduct and the International Olympic Committee's code of ethics.

In response, the ISA released a statement emphasizing the importance of appropriate behavior by judges and teams. The decision to remove Lowe aimed to protect the competition's integrity and ensure fairness for all participants.

The Australian team management has yet to comment on the situation. Despite the controversy, surfing enthusiasts question the subjectivity of judges' decisions in Olympic events and suggest alternative approaches to evaluating performances.

While some find the sport of surfing to be boring to watch during the Olympics due to its waiting periods and short-lived action, others argue that the thrill of the sport lies in the athletes' ability to conquer challenging waves like those at Teahupo'o, considered among the best and most difficult in the world.

With contrasting opinions on the excitement and appeal of surfing as an Olympic event, the incident at the Paris Olympics highlights the importance of upholding fairness and professionalism in all aspects of competitive sports.

For more updates on the 2024 Paris Olympics, visit AP Summer Olympics coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

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