Crocodile-filled river cleared for 2032 Olympic rowing — but fairness, not crocs, is the real worry
Queensland's Fitzroy River, home to around 500 crocodiles, has been approved as the rowing and canoe sprint venue for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. Rowing officials say the main concern is the river's bends and currents rather than the reptiles.
Australia's Fitzroy River, home to an estimated 500 saltwater crocodiles, hosted a school rowing regatta this weekend in Rockhampton, Queensland, drawing unusual media attention. That's because the same stretch of water is set to host rowing and canoe sprint events at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics.
State government records stretching back more than 40 years show no crocodile attacks on humans there, despite frequent sightings. Yet within international rowing circles, the bigger worry isn't the reptiles but the river's tidal bends and currents, which many argue make it unsuitable for fair elite competition.
Three-time Olympic rowing gold medallist Drew Ginn raised concerns about flooding risk and competitive fairness, though he said he personally wasn't afraid of Australian wildlife. Germany's rowing federation president noted athletes had also questioned the venue's sustainability, given it sits roughly 600km from Brisbane.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli dismissed the criticism sharply, suggesting it stemmed from interstate and international elites unwilling to compete in regional Queensland. Rowing officials rejected that characterization, insisting their objections were purely about ensuring fair racing conditions for athletes who train for years toward the Olympics.
On Thursday, World Rowing and the International Olympic Committee approved the Fitzroy River following a technical assessment, concluding it could deliver fair competition during the Games. The decision came despite a 2025 government-commissioned report that had found the site unsuitable and recommended reusing the rowing course built for the 2000 Sydney Olympics instead.
The safety plan for this weekend's school regatta mentions "crocodile" 28 times, outlining procedures to halt racing if a crocodile is spotted. The Fitzroy venue still faces a final assessment on design, value for money, and long-term community benefit before the plan is fully locked in.
