Ben Lowe surfing Paris Games: Aussie Olympics judge sent home in disgrace over controversial ‘inappropriate’ photo

Olympic surfing judge Ben Lowe has been sent home in disgrace from the Paris Olympics after posing for a photo with fellow Australians Ethan Ewing and Bede Durbidge, who compete in events he referees.

The photo, taken in Tahiti where the Paris Olympics surfing competitions are taking place at the famous Teahupo’o surf beach, was uploaded to Instagram and quickly became a talking point.

The message was captioned: ‘these three Straddie [Stradbroke Island] The boys’ dissatisfaction with their performance at the Olympics prompted the International Surfing Association (ISA) to take immediate action.

Following calls for possible bias, as Lowe could have scored against Ewing while he was chasing an Olympic medal, the ISA relieved Lowe of his duties.

“It is inappropriate for a judge to treat an athlete and his team in this manner,” the ISA said in a statement.

Lowe, a veteran WSL judge, has stepped down in accordance with the ISA Code of Conduct and the International Olympic Committee Code of Ethics, the ISA confirmed.

Meanwhile, Australian star Tyler Wright has secured a place in the quarter-finals of the Olympic Games after surfing superbly in her final heat in French Polynesia.

The two-time Australian world champion spent three days on the beach before returning to the waters of Tahitia on Friday (AEST) after beating Israel’s Anat Lelior 11.10 to 7.74.

Australians Ethan Ewing and Jack Robinson will face each other in the men’s quarter-finals, while fellow Australian Tyler Wright (pictured) is also in the last eight of the women’s competition.

On Friday, a meeting is scheduled with another former World Surf League (WSL) winner: Caroline Marks.

She joins Australian surfers Jack Robinson and Ethan Ewing, who will face each other, in the final eight, meaning there will be at least one Australian surfer competing for a medal.

The Teahupo’o swell subsided after two storm-battered rest days, allowing the women’s field to complete their heats.

For Wright, the wait was even longer, as the winner of heat one skipped heat two, meaning she had not competed since Monday.

Wright took the initiative from the start against Lelior, posting an early 5.83 to take the lead.

Her second small score – a 2.67 – left the door open for a challenge, so the 30-year-old took on a smaller wave with fast turns.

Unfortunately for the Australian, she was brought too close to shore and became stranded above the dangerous shallow reef.

While waiting for a jet ski to take her back to the waves, she stood up to find the water reaching her ankles, causing numerous injuries.

The exercise lasted several minutes, freeing up the waves and allowing Lelior to take the initiative.

The Israeli had a dip in a few waves in Wright’s absence, but failed to score much, leaving the competition tied at 8.50-7.74 with 10 minutes to go.

But the Australian’s class told the tale. She held her nerve on the back of the surf and eventually found the barrel she wanted, scoring a 5.27 to close the door.

She now plays American Marks at 10:12am AEST.