Fifty years ago this July, amidst the majestic waves of Teahupo’o in the South Pacific, a different kind of wave, invisible and dangerous, swept through the village. It was the aftermath of a nuclear weapon test conducted by France, leaving a lasting impact on the community.
Roniu Tupana Poareu, born and raised in Teahupo’o, now serves as its mayor. She proudly speaks of the village’s selection as the site for the surfing competition in the upcoming Summer Olympics hosted in Paris, despite the hidden scars of its past.
Teahupo’o, with its picturesque azure waves, holds a dark secret. Declassified French military documents reveal that the village experienced some of the highest radiation levels in French Polynesia after a radioactive cloud drifted over in July 1974, unbeknownst to its residents.
Despite the challenges, new infrastructure, such as a park, bridge, and judging tower, is being constructed for the Olympic surfing event, showcasing resilience in the face of adversity.
Roniu Tupana Poareu, while visiting her sister’s grave, reflects on the impact of radiation-induced cancer, a reminder of the hidden legacy of nuclear testing in Teahupo’o.
