The Fitzroy River in Rockhampton, Queensland, has been officially endorsed as the venue for rowing and canoe sprint events at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics. The decision follows a technical assessment that deemed the waters safe and suitable for elite competition, ending months of debate over the suitability of the location home to an estimated 500 saltwater crocodiles.
While the presence of the reptiles has captured public imagination, officials and athletes have indicated that competitive fairness poses a greater challenge. The river’s natural tidal bends and currents have drawn criticism from several internationalrowing figures, including three-time Olympic gold medalist Drew Ginn and German Rowing Federation president Moritz Petri, who raised concerns about flooding risks and equitable racing conditions.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli strongly defended the selection, accusing overseas and interstate elites of attempting to block the venue due to a reluctance to compete in regional Australia. “It is a group of interstate and overseas elites who are trying to bully their way because they don’t want to go to regional Queensland and that’s not right,” Crisafulli stated.
World Rowing president Jean-Christophe Rolland confirmed that an extensive engineering analysis of the riverbed, water flows, and weather patterns concluded the site can provide fair competition. Thomas Konietzko, president of Paddle Worldwide, also expressed confidence in the venue’s suitability for canoe sprint athletes.
Notably, the approval process overlooked a 2025 report commissioned by the Queensland government itself, which had found the Fitzroy unsuitable and recommended using the existing Sydney Olympic Park course instead. However, the state government proceeded with its decision, and a final assessment regarding value for money and community legacy is now expected to pass given political backing.
Saltwater crocodiles, which can grow up to four meters long, are common in the river. Despite this, government records spanning over 40 years show no attacks on humans. Safety protocols for local events, such as the upcoming school regatta, involve suspending races and returning to shore upon spotting a crocodile, signaled by the call of “crocodile, crocodile, crocodile.”
Hancock Prospecting, the company owned by Australian billionaire Gina Rinehart, has heavily supported the Rockhampton bid and dismissed concerns about crocodiles and flooding as media exaggerations, noting that local children train in the river without incident. Meanwhile, organizers have confirmed that contingency plans are being developed, with the Sydney venue available as a backup option.
For local athletes, the venue remains a source of pride. Phillip Moulds, headmaster of Rockhampton Grammar School, highlighted that the river is the “home water” for many students, serving as a launchpad for competitors who have reached national and international levels.
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