Premier claims ‘overseas elites’ are snubbing regional Queensland after Olympic rowing concerns

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has accused international rowing officials of snubbing regional Queensland, after concerns were raised at the 2026 World Rowing Congress over Brisbane Olympics rowing events being held on the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton.

Concerns have been raised over safety and fairness ever since the natural water course was named more than a year ago as the venue for rowing events in 2032.

Brisbane 2032 chief executive Cindy Hook and chief sports officer Kit McConnell presented virtually to the 2026 congress in Amsterdam last week and were questioned by other nations’ officials about fairness, safety and the sustainability of the venue.

British Rowing chief executive Tom Salisbury and Swiss Rowing Federation director Christian Stofer both expressed concerns for fairness and safety.

Rowing New Zealand chief executive Simon Wickham said, “we, and probably a number of our federations have seen ... emails and accompanying information from concerned rowers from Australia that are familiar with rowing at the venue and their deep concerns from an athlete perspective”.

Wickham also wanted to hear how the risk of flood-related damage to the river would be managed in the lead up to, and during, the Games, and questioned if the Fitzroy would be a “fair playing field” and whether it was the “best possible venue Australia can provide”.

German Rowing Federation president Moritz Petri said his athletes had told him they didn’t want to compete in Rockhampton.

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“They were saying if we are not being in the core of the Olympic city and not being part of the Olympic village, why we are not using the former Sydney 2000 regatta course, which should still be there and isn’t it more sustainable from an environmental perspective to go there?” Petri said.

Rowing Canada president Tracey Black also asked if other venues were being considered.

Hook told the officials their concerns were already on the radar.

“Everything that you said is true,” she said.

“There is a risk of flooding there.

“There’s a risk of flooding in the Brisbane River as well.

“We will have to come up with contingency plans, as we would for any venue.“

She cautioned that other potential venues for rowing events also had “limitations”, particularly given Brisbane was expected to deliver a full-length 2000-metre rowing course, unlike Los Angeles which was permitted to provide a shortened 1500-metre course.

“I also just caution everybody, there are a lot of people talking about this, not always with the full facts, especially when it comes to throwing out other potential locations, that also have limitations and, in many, many cases bigger than this,” Hook said.

Crisafulli on Tuesday accused the officials of being “elites”.

“I’ve seen some of the commentary and I make the observation that some of the interstate and overseas elites are thumbing their nose because it’s being held in a regional centre and that’s what this is about,” Crisafulli said.

“Let’s be honest, let’s scratch beneath the surface and call it for what it is.

“It’s a group of interstate and overseas elites who don’t want to go to a regional area.

“I have a very different view ... I grew up in regional Queensland. I’m proud of that.”

“We won’t be moving an inch,” he added.

Ultimately, the International Olympic Committee and World Rowing will make the final call on the river’s suitability, with assessments under way.

The City of Moreton Bay council has proposed a $250 million flat-water rowing precinct at a decommissioned Boral quarry in Lawnton as a contingency venue.