An Australian River with around 500 saltwater crocodiles has been approved as a venue for Olympic and Paralympic rowing and canoeing events during the 2032 Games in Brisbane.
The course along the Fitzroy River, located in Rockhampton, Queensland, has been assessed to be suitable after passing an independent technical assessment of the course.
This assessment did not take into consideration the crocodiles but rather focused on “the performance of the course in different conditions, weather patterns, water levels and flood risk in both Games and pre-Games time periods.”
The report was prepared for the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA). The GIICA highlighted that the Fitzroy River Flatwater Facility “has already been in operation as a training and competition venue for flat water sports, including school state championships, regattas, and national team camps”.
World Rowing and Paddle Worldwide, the former International Canoe Federation, both approved the course, per BBC Sport.
World Rowing President Jean-Christophe Rolland: “Based on the extensive analysis undertaken, we now know that the Fitzroy River is capable of providing fair competition conditions during the period of the Games, consistent with the requirements of Olympic and Paralympic Rowing,”
“Paddle Worldwide President Thomas Konietzko stated that ‘the quality and level of technical analysis has greatly increased our knowledge of the playing field and gives us and our athletes confidence that the course will offer a level playing field for Canoe Sprint athletes.'”
The President of Brisbane 2032, Andrew Liveris, was dismissive of the crocodile problem last year.
“There are sharks in the ocean and we’re still surfing… it’s a can do, not a can’t do – please change the mindset here,” he said at the time.
Speaking on Thursday about the venue having now been given the go-ahead, he said: “The endorsement provides additional certainty as we move into the next phase of venue planning and Games delivery, ensuring all future design and operational work continues to focus solely on Rockhampton.”
Saltwater crocodiles – known locally as Salties – live in both freshwater and saltwater and can grow to be in excess of six metres long.
