The International Surfing Association has suspended an Olympic judge suspected of underestimating scores.

The International Surfing Association (ISA) has suspended Australian referee Ben Lowe from his work at the 2024 Olympics.

Earlier, joint photographs of the judge and the 2024 Olympic participant, Australian Ethan Ewing, appeared on social media. Journalist and surfer Pedro Scooby, who covers the Olympics, filed a complaint against Lowe. Scooby believes that Lowe underestimated Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina at the Tokyo Olympics.

“The ISA is aware of a photograph circulating on social media showing one of the Olympic surfing judges, an Australian, interacting with an Australian athlete and his coach. It is unacceptable for a judge to have such an interaction with an athlete and his team. In order to protect the integrity and fairness of the competition, and in accordance with the ISA Code of Conduct and the International Olympic Committee Code of Ethics, the ISA Executive Committee has decided to remove the judge from the competition jury,” the ISA said in a statement, as quoted by CNN Brazil.

The Olympic surfing competition is taking place in Tahiti. Ewing failed to advance past the quarterfinal stage. He lost to his compatriot Jack Robinson, whose next opponent was Medina. The semifinals are scheduled for August 3.

The Olympic Games will end on August 11.

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