The 2032 Brisbane Olympics rowing events are expected to take place in Rockhampton’s Fitzroy River, a crocodile-inhabited river. While officials have assured safety, concerns have been raised regarding the presence of crocodiles in the river. Read about the controversy in Australia here.
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Brisbane Olympic Games are scheduled to be held from 23 July to 8 August 2032, still more than seven years away. The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are much closer and should be the event being talked about. However, the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Australia have already sparked debates with reports emerging that a crocodile-inhabited river in Rockhampton, Queensland, is set to host the rowing events.
According to reports in Australian media, the Queensland government is expected to confirm Rockhampton’s Fitzroy River as the official venue when it unveils its final infrastructure plan for the 2032 Games. This decision has raised concerns due to the presence of crocodiles in the river. Some reports suggest that a four-metre-long crocodile was caught in the river two years ago.
Is Fitzroy River safe for 2032 Olympics rowing events?
The decision not to build a new venue and host the rowing events at an existing setup is also set to save millions of dollars in taxpayers’ money, as per Nationals Queensland Senator Matt Canavan, who gave this statement in January this year. Also, supporters of the move argue that the crocodiles will, of course, be moved to another location ahead of the 2032 Olympics.
Meanwhile, the 2032 Brisbane Olympics organising committee chief, Andrew Liveris, has dismissed fears of potential attacks, drawing comparisons to other sports played in natural habitats. “There are sharks in the ocean and we still do surfing… this is can do, not can’t do, please flip the mindset here,” Liveris said.
The Fitzroy River has been a training site for Australian rowers for many years, including hosting pre-Olympic camps. David Crisafulli, the Premier of Queensland, has said that kids swim and paddle in the river and crocodiles never became a problem.
Will the river meet international standards?
On the other hand, Rowing Australia boss Sarah Cook highlighted a different concern, suggesting that the river’s natural current might become a reason for events not being held there during the Olympics. Cook said that Fitzroy River’s flowing water could create uneven racing conditions, potentially violating World Rowing’s regulations.
Some reports say that World Rowing will visit Rockhampton in May for a technical review to assess whether the river meets international standards. One of the key factors will be ensuring that the river’s current does not unfairly impact competition results.