Olympic surfing judge Ben Lowe was dismissed from his role at the Paris Olympics in Tahiti after a photo surfaced of him posing with Australian surfer Ethan Ewing and coach Bede Durbidge. The International Surfing Association (ISA) removed Lowe to “protect the integrity and fairness of the ongoing competition,” citing that it is inappropriate for a judge to interact socially with athletes and their teams. The photo, posted on Instagram, showed Lowe, Ewing, and Durbidge, all from North Stradbroke Island in Queensland, with a caption referencing their shared hometown.
The decision to dismiss Lowe was based on the ISA’s code of conduct and the International Olympic Committee’s code of ethics. This action was taken to ensure the objectivity of the judging process. Ewing addressed the controversy, expressing his disappointment and noting that he had faced online criticism but was not fully aware of the details. This incident is not the first time Lowe has faced accusations of bias; he was previously criticized during the Tokyo Games for allegedly favoring competitors over Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina.
Social media reactions to Lowe’s dismissal were mixed, with some users highlighting past grievances and others supporting the decision. The controversy has brought attention to the importance of impartiality in sports judging and the measures taken to maintain fairness in competitions. Despite the setback, Ewing continued to compete, ultimately losing his quarterfinal match to fellow Australian Jack Robinson.
This incident underscores the challenges and scrutiny faced by sports officials and the ongoing efforts to uphold ethical standards in international competitions. The ISA’s swift action reflects the commitment to maintaining the credibility of the Olympic Games and ensuring that all athletes are judged fairly.
