Crocodile fears dismissed as Olympic rowing venue locked in
Rockhampton’s Fitzroy River will host the rowing and canoe sprint at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032 despite fears about the croc-infested waters.
The flat water course has long faced criticism after locals had vocalised that stretch of the river was home to salt water crocodiles, but Queensland premier David Crisafulli says the river had passed its safety review “with flying colours”.
Australia’s Annabelle McIntyre and Jess Morrison in action at the 2024 Olympic Games. AP
The assessment to determine if the river was a suitable venue was conducted by the International Olympic Committee and included on-water investigations into how the course would perform, water levels and also the flood risk in the area.
Almost 6000 people this year had signed a petition for the venue to be changed due to concerns about athlete safety while competing alongside crocodiles.
One crocodile farmer told nine.com.au in March last year that Olympic organisers would be able to manage the crocodiles in that stretch of the river as the water temperature would be too low and “make them lethargic”.
“They don’t eat much and they don’t move much; they just struggle to keep warm,” John Lever, a crocodile farmer from Central Queensland, said.
“They can’t digest food under about 25 degrees, so all the incentives to attack people are gone.”
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But the recent petition cited the river would compromise the fairness of the events as the current could lead to some lanes being more favourable than others.
Rowing Australia did not cite any concerns about the salt water crocodiles in its initial statement last year about the now confirmed venue, rather it only cited concerns about the water quality, weed management and the current.
The independent assessment has since confirmed those concerns will not be an issue, opening the door for sport in Central Queensland to have a lasting legacy.
“We acknowledge World Rowing and Paddle Worldwide’s official endorsement of the Fitzroy River for Olympic and Paralympic events, and now we can move toward delivering this Games for all of Queensland,” Crisafulli said on Thursday.
“Regional Queensland deserves to be on the world stage and the many legacy benefits of generational infrastructure, tourism and housing that will follow.”
An Olympic official had previously asked if the salties would be fenced off from the competition. Supplied
World Rowing President Jean-Christophe Rolland was elated to learn that the course was deemed suitable to host a fair and consistent week of Olympic racing.
Paddle Worldwide President Thomas Konietzko thanked all involved in the assessment for being transparent throughout the process.
The Olympic Games will take place in Brisbane from July 23 to August 8 in 2032. The Paralympic Games will follow from August 24 to September 5.
