Rowers at the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games will compete on an Australian river that is home to about 500 saltwater crocodiles. The Fitzroy River, located in the city of Rockhampton, was officially approved for rowing and canoe sprint events after passing a technical assessment by sports leaders and engineers.
The saltwater crocodiles in the Fitzroy River can grow up to four metres long. However, government records going back more than 40 years show no recorded attacks by the reptiles on humans in the area. Local event safety plans, such as those for school rowing regattas, already include strict rules to stop races immediately if a crocodile is spotted.
While the presence of crocodiles attracted media attention, many rowers and sports officials raised other concerns about the venue. Three-time Australian Olympic gold medallist Drew Ginn and international rowing leaders questioned whether the river's natural bends and currents would allow fair racing. Others raised questions about potential flooding and the extra challenge of travelling to Rockhampton, which is located 600 kilometres (373 miles) from Brisbane.
Despite these concerns, World Rowing and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) backed the river after an engineering assessment concluded it could provide fair competition conditions. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli welcomed the final decision, stating that the Fitzroy River had passed its assessment with flying colours.