Organisers of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics have reaffirmed their commitment to holding rowing events on the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton, central Queensland, despite persistent concerns over strong tides and crocodile habitats. The venue, located some 600km north of Brisbane, has faced criticism since its proposal last year, with critics citing challenging currents and potential safety risks.
Former Olympic rowing champion Drew Ginn warned that lane placement could disadvantage some athletes, while a northern Brisbane council proposed an alternative site in Moreton Bay. Last month, 500 rowers signed an open letter urging a rethink of the venue choice.
Queensland state Olympic minister Tim Mander dismissed calls for alternatives, stating: 'We are committed to it, we're not looking at alternatives. The rowing will be at Rockhampton.' He added that there was no reason to reconsider given the level of confidence in the venue, which passed initial testing by the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority last October.
An expert from World Rowing is expected to assess the Fitzroy River in the coming weeks, with a decision on endorsement due by mid-year. World Rowing acknowledged potential issues last year but pledged to ensure athlete safety and competitive integrity. Mr Mander noted there was nothing unusual about the assessment, saying: 'There's not one thing that they've said that would give us concern with regard to going forward.'
Australia will host the Summer Olympics for the first time since Sydney 2000, with Brisbane 2032 following Los Angeles 2028. The host for the 2036 Games has yet to be confirmed, though India has announced a bid for Ahmedabad.
