Arabic version: اعتماد نهر فيتزروي لمنافسات التجديف في بريزبين 2032
According to BBC News, the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton, Queensland, has been approved to host rowing and canoeing events at the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games. The river is home to about 500 saltwater crocodiles, but an independent technical assessment found the course suitable for competition.
The assessment considered how the course would perform under different conditions, including weather patterns, water levels and flood risk at Games time and in the lead-up to the event. It did not consider crocodiles. The report was commissioned by the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority, which said the Fitzroy River Flatwater Facility already hosts flatwater sports, including school state championships, local regattas and national team training camps.
World Rowing and Paddle Worldwide, formerly the International Canoe Federation, endorsed the venue. World Rowing president Jean-Christophe Rolland said the analysis showed the river could provide fair competition conditions consistent with Olympic and Paralympic rowing requirements. Paddle Worldwide president Thomas Konietzko said the technical work had improved understanding of the field of play and provided confidence that the course could deliver fair competition for canoe sprint athletes.
As a recognised rowing facility, the venue has contingency plans for crocodile sightings, and Olympic officials have previously been assured about rower safety. Brisbane 2032 president Andrew Liveris said the endorsement gave additional certainty as planning and Games delivery moved into the next phase, with future design and operational work focused on Rockhampton.
Three-time Australian Olympic rowing gold medallist Drew Ginn told BBC Radio that he had concerns about flooding, fairness and integrity at the venue, as well as the experience for athletes and spectators at a location he described as six or seven hours from Brisbane. Saltwater crocodiles, known locally as Salties, live in freshwater and saltwater and can grow to more than six metres long.
