Ben Lowe surfing Paris Games: Aussie Olympics judge sent home in disgrace over controversial 'inappropriate' photo
- Ben Lowe sent home from Paris Games after 'inappropriate' photo
- Surfing judge posed with fellow Aussies Ethan Ewing and Bede Durbidge
- International Surfing Association (ISA) quickly stood down Lowe
Olympics surfing judge Ben Lowe has been sent home from the Paris Games in disgrace after posing in a tone-deaf photo with fellow Aussies Ethan Ewing and Bede Durbidge, who are competing the events he's officiating.
The image - taken in Tahiti where the Paris Games surfing is being staged at famed break Teahupo'o - was uploaded to Instagram, and quickly became a talking point.
The post was captioned: 'these three Straddie [Stradbroke Island] boys doing their stuff at the Olympics' prompted the International Surfing Association (ISA) to act immediately.
Amid calls of potential bias given Lowe could have scored Ewing as he chases an Olympic medal, the ISA relieved Lowe of his duties.
'It is inappropriate for a judge to be interacting in this manner with an athlete and their team,' an ISA statement read.
Lowe, who is an experienced WSL judge, has been stood down in accordance with the ISA's code of conduct and the International Olympic Committee's code of ethics, the ISA confirmed.
Meanwhile, Aussie women's star Tyler Wright has booked an Olympics quarter-final after canny surfing in her final heat in the French Polynesia.
The two-time Australian world champion spent three days on the beach before returning to the Tahitian waters on Friday (AEST), dispatching Israel's Anat Lelior 11.10 to 7.74.
Olympics surfing judge Ben Lowe (right) has been sent home from the Paris Games in disgrace after posing in a tone-deaf photo with fellow Aussies Ethan Ewing and Bede Durbidge
Aussies Ethan Ewing and Jack Robinson will face one another in the men's quarter-finals, with compatriot Tyler Wright (pictured) also in the final eight in the women's competition
Next up is a meeting with another one-time World Surf League (WSL) winner, Caroline Marks, later on Friday.
She joins Australian men Jack Robinson and Ethan Ewing - who face each other - in the last eight, meaning at least one Aussie surfer will compete for a medal.
The Teahupo'o swell calmed after two storm-affected lay days, allowing the women's field to complete their heats.
For Wright, the wait was even longer, as the heat one winner bypassed the second heat, meaning she hadn't competed since Monday.
Wright quicklu seized the initiative from the get-go against Lelior, booking an early 5.83 to claim the lead.
Her small second score - a 2.67 - left the door open to challenge, so the 30-year-old then took on a smaller wave with darting turns.
Unfortunately for the Australian, it carried her too close to shore, and she was left floating above the dangerous shallow reef.
As she waited for a jetski tow back to the waves, she stood up revealing the ankle-deep water which has caused many an injury.
The exercise took several minutes, freeing the surf up for Lelior to seize the initiative.
The Israeli had a dip at a couple of waves in Wright's absence, but wasn't able to score heavily, leaving the competition poised at 8.50 to 7.74 with 10 minutes to go.
However, the Australian's class told. She held her nerve at the back of the surf and eventually found the barrel she wanted, scoring a 5.27 to close the door.
She will now face American Marks at 10:12am AEST.
