River home to 500 crocodiles chosen as Olympic rowing venue

A contentious natural river system in regional Australia that serves as a habitat for approximately 500 saltwater crocodiles has officially received the green light to host the rowing and canoe sprint events for the upcoming Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, ending months of intense public and political debate according to Tass and The Guardian.

The selection places the Olympic events along a 2.7-kilometer stretch of the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton, situated roughly 600 kilometers north of Brisbane, as reported by Jen. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli formally announced the approval in parliament, declaring that the venue had passed its technical evaluation successfully, according to The Guardian.

Media additions

Is the Fitzroy River a suitable venue for the Brisbane Olympics, given it’s home to crocodiles?

The choice drew immediate scrutiny due to the permanent presence of saltwater crocodiles, locally known as "Salties", which can grow in excess of six metres long, as detailed by Aol. Incidents along the waterway included the capture of a large reptile following a cancelled regatta, as well as an incident where a dog was killed, according to Dailymail.

"There's very few crocodiles in the freshwater, downstream side of the river (near the course) - I think we've had four removed in 40 years. They're not of concern. The schools are out there every day with their rowing teams."

John Lever, Crocodile farmer, via Dailymail

Brisbane 2032 President Andrew Liveris similarly downplayed the wildlife factor, comparing the situation to ocean surfing alongside sharks, according to Aol and Dailymail. Executive figures emphasized that contingency plans are established for spotting wildlife during events, while a technical assessment commissioned by the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority focused on weather patterns, water levels, and flood risks rather than the crocodiles themselves, as reported by Aol.

Beyond wildlife, athletes and national federations raised objections concerning competitive fairness, tidal currents, and the regional location. An open letter signed by 542 athletes—including triple Olympic gold medallist Drew Ginn—urged the state government to construct an alternative facility in southeast Queensland, pointing to potential fairness issues caused by river currents and flooding, according to Jen and The Guardian.

"Imagine the 100m sprint having a (runner) in lane six going forward, and on lane one going backwards and thinking that’s fair for athletes. Rivers flow, rivers flood, we know the course up there has real issues around this – that’s ok for a local regatta … but it’s not ok for the Olympic Games."

Drew Ginn, Australian rowing legend, via The Conversation

Representatives from the United Kingdom, Germany, New Zealand, and Canada also voiced reservations at a World Rowing congress meeting in Amsterdam, suggesting alternative venues such as the former Sydney 2000 regatta course in Penrith or locations in Moreton Bay, as noted by The Guardian and Fox Sports. Premier Crisafulli dismissed the pushback, characterizing the protesting national representatives as "elites" attempting to bypass regional Queensland, according to Jen and The Guardian.

World Rowing President Jean-Christophe Rolland and Paddle Worldwide President Thomas Konietzko endorsed the technical analysis, confirming that the Fitzroy River course can provide fair competition conditions that satisfy international regulations, as reported by Jen, Aol, and The Guardian. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie added that no river widening or dredging would be necessary because the chosen section spans a length capable of accommodating standard 2,000-metre races with eight lanes, according to The Guardian.

What Happens Next

• The Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority and regional delivery partners will advance detailed venue planning, design, and infrastructure construction for the site, as outlined by The Guardian.
• International sports federations and the International Olympic Committee will continue collaborative oversight during subsequent phases of venue preparation ahead of the 2032 Summer Games, which are scheduled to run from July 23 to August 8, followed by the Paralympics from August 24 to September 5, according to TASS and Fox Sports.