'Fairness and safety are paramount': Rowing, canoe sprint push back over Brisbane 2032 venue decision
The announcement that the Rockhampton stretch of the Fitzroy River will host rowing and canoe sprint at Brisbane 2032 has disappointed the sports' governing bodies, who insist further talks will be had in hope of settling on a different location.
Meanwhile, Rod McGeoch, the leader of the successful Sydney 2000 bid, says he's "amazed" at how spread out the Games will be and believes it will result in a greater sense of jubilation and connectedness.
Rowing Australia, World Rowing, Paddle Australia and the International Canoe Federation pushed back in statements against Tuesday's announcement that the Fitzroy River would host their Olympic and Paralympic events.
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Among their concerns are the river's technical credentials and a lack of legacy benefit.
The fact the Fitzroy River is inhabited by crocodiles was not raised in any of the statements, although Rowing Australia chief executive Sarah Cook told the ABC this week that competing in the waterway could be "quite shocking" for international athletes.
"While the facility has been suitable in a training capacity, it has not undergone any technical feasibility study that would confirm its ability to host national- or international-level racing," Rowing Australia said.
"Fairness and safety are paramount to any venue hosting a regatta of this magnitude and importance, with any river current that could impact results or favour certain lanes not permissible under the rules.
"Water quality and weed management are also factors to be considered by the international federation."
Australian rowing pair Annabelle McIntyre (front) and Jessica Morrison pictured at the Paris Olympics, where they secured bronze. Getty
Paddle Australia admitted the announcement had "come as a surprise" and said the Fitzroy River had not formed part of its submission to the 100-day independent review commissioned by Queensland Premier David Crisafulli.
"PA needs further time to assess whether the venue meets the international technical standards of the sport," Paddle Australia said.
"As part of our submission, PA called for a further feasibility study of Hinze Dam [west of the Gold Coast]. That would have delivered a long-term legacy for the sport and benefits to the communities. The Fitzroy River, in our view, will provide very little scope for lasting legacy.
"Paddle Australia will now take the opportunity to review the full report from the 100-day review, consult with our international and national stakeholders, and continue to dialogue with the Queensland government and delivery partners."
People fishing on the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton. Getty
In a statement similar to Paddle Australia's, the International Canoe Federation said talks would continue in hope of "the best solution" being found, while World Rowing released a similar statement to that of Rowing Australia.
Among the areas of regional Queensland set to stage Brisbane 2032 events are Townsville and the Whitsundays, which will both host sailing, as well as Cairns (football), Maryborough (archery), Toowoomba (equestrian) and the Gold Coast (hockey, judo and wrestling).
There will also be athletes' villages in Brisbane, on the Sunshine Coast and on the Gold Coast.
"I'm just amazed. I've come from 30 years of experience in Olympic bidding where your ... best bid is one with a single Olympic [athletes'] village, the cluster of venues, good public infrastructure, et cetera," McGeoch told Wide World of Sports.
"Brisbane bid for the 1992 Games that were held in Barcelona, so it had a plan for a long time. It then sits down with the IOC with its proposed plan, and now we've had a 100-day review and nothing looks like what has been there before ... Someone's using the word a 'regional Games', and that's really what it is."
Rod McGeoch, the leader of the successful Sydney 2000 bid, pictured in 2024. Getty
McGeoch says it's "a strikingly different model" to usual but added: "The Queenslanders who live in all these places are real winners [because] it's not just a Brisbane-centric Games".
He said those in the regional areas set to host events would be "thrilled".
"I think to some extent it might well drive a greater sense of exhilaration and fraternity," McGeoch said.
"If you give regional areas an opportunity to be involved, they'll be involved ... There's big upside in improving everybody's experience; not just [the experience of] those who pay for a ticket."
