2032 Brisbane Olympics Pick Crocodile-Infested River As Rowing Venue

A rowing venue for the 2032 Olympics was given the green light to host after concerns about the crocodile habitat.

Olympic authorities confirmed they had approved central Queensland’s Fitzroy River as a Brisbane Games venue, ending months of debate.

Queensland’s premier, David Crisafulli, broke the news in parliament, saying the International Olympic Committee’s assessment of the controversial course was complete.

“The Fitzroy has passed with flying colors,” he said. “It’s official, signed, sealed and delivered.” 

World Rowing and Paddle Worldwide also confirmed they backed an independent technical assessment of the regional flat water course.

The Queensland government confirmed that the venue would host Brisbane Games rowing, para rowing, canoe sprint and para canoe events.

The regional river was pitched to host rowing in March 2025, but the government faced pressure to reconsider.

The Fitzroy River is a crocodile habitat; the strong currents raised concerns, as people feared it would not meet World Rowing regatta standards.

At a recent World Rowing congress meeting, the British, New Zealand and German federations reportedly told 2032 bosses their athletes were worried about the venue’s fairness, safety and sustainability.

In recent months, an open letter signed by 542 rowers, including gold medallist Drew Ginn, was sent to the state government asking it to build the rowing venue in southeast Queensland.

A proposal at Moreton Bay, north of Brisbane, had been promoted by the local council as a world-standard course that would cost half as much as Rockhampton’s site.

Crisafulli brushed off the concerns and dismissed them as “elites” who were disrespecting the regional center.

He announced the IOC had signed off on the Rockhampton site in parliament: “Many have said it can’t be done … we reject that view. We’re back in regional Queensland – no ifs, no buts.” 

Critics would still argue that flooding at the Fitzroy River and heavy silt loads would require constant dredging and repairs to keep the course to Olympic standards.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said there would be “no widening, no dredging needed” after analysis showed the river could accommodate a full-width Olympic course with eight lanes, plus room for start and finish areas.

“The Fitzroy has the space for a full international standard course at 2.7km long section, providing sufficient distance for a standard 2000-meter rowing race,” he told parliament.

The IOC, World Rowing, and Paddle Worldwide would endorse the course after reviewing data from experts and representatives who inspected the site.

“We now know that the Fitzroy River is capable of providing fair competition conditions during the period of the Games,” World Rowing president, Jean-Christophe Rolland, said in a statement. 

The Queensland government has confirmed that the Games Authority will now proceed with detailed planning, design and construction for the competition.