Rowing, canoe, and kayak events for the 2032 Olympic Games are planned to be held in the Australian city of Rockhampton, on the Fitzroy River, which is inhabited by crocodiles.
Sea-news.az reports that this information was published by the “BILD” publication.
Queensland state authorities announced that the venue for the competitions has successfully passed an independent technical inspection and has been approved.
“Everything is official, signed, and settled,” state Premier David Crisafulli stated.
The selection of the Fitzroy River sparked controversy back in 2025. More than 500 rowers, including Olympic champion Drew Ginn, demanded that the competitions be held in another location, citing the river’s current, flood risk, and other features.
Currently, the authorities will begin designing the necessary infrastructure for organizing the competitions. An eight-lane, two-kilometer-long racing course is planned to be created on the river. According to initial estimates, there will be no need to widen or deepen the river.
It should be noted that Queensland operates a crocodile management program that provides for the removal of large or dangerously behaving crocodiles from residential areas.
