River home to 500 crocodiles chosen as Olympic rowing venue

A river that is home to about 500 saltwater crocodiles has been given the OK to host Olympic and Paralympic rowing and canoeing events at the 2032 Brisbane Games.

The course on the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton, Queensland, has passed an independent technical assessment into its suitability.

The assessment did not consider the crocodiles but instead looked at "how the course would perform under a range of conditions, weather patterns, water levels and flood risk at both Games time and throughout the period leading into the Games".

The report was commissioned by the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA), which noted, external that the Fitzroy River Flatwater Facility "is already a training and competition venue for flatwater sports, supporting school state championships, local regattas, and national team training camps".

As a recognised rowing facility, contingency plans are in place at events for when crocodiles are spotted and Olympic officials have previously been assured of rower safety.

World Rowing and Paddle Worldwide, formerly International Canoe Federation, both endorsed the course.

"Based on the extensive analysis undertaken, we now know that the Fitzroy River is capable of providing fair competition conditions during the period of the Games, consistent with the requirements of Olympic and Paralympic Rowing," World Rowing President Jean-Christophe Rolland said., external

Paddle Worldwide President Thomas Konietzko said: "The quality and depth of the technical work undertaken has significantly improved our understanding of the field of play and provides confidence to us and our athletes that the course can deliver fair competition for Canoe Sprint athletes."

Brisbane 2032 President Andrew Liveris played down the issue of crocodiles last year.

"There are sharks in the ocean and we're still surfing... it's a can do, not a can't do - please change the mindset here," he said at the time.

Speaking on Thursday about the venue having now been given the go-ahead, he said: "The endorsement provides additional certainty as we move into the next phase of venue planning and Games delivery, ensuring all future design and operational work continues to focus solely on Rockhampton."

Saltwater crocodiles - known locally as Salties - live in both freshwater and saltwater and can grow to be in excess of six metres long.

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'I'm sure all the athletes would row faster'

Drew Ginn, who won three Olympic gold medals for Australia in rowing, told BBC Radio he has concerns over potential flooding and "fairness and integrity" at the venue, along with the Olympic experience for athletes and spectators at a location "six or seven hours" from Brisbane.

"Personally, I'm not fearful of the Australian animals but I've never had a crocodile near me," he said.

"I'm sure I'd row faster, I'm sure all the athletes would row faster. That's on the list of concerns, I don't think it's the highest priority in concerns but it was certainly cited very early on.

"Things like relocating crocodiles out of the river, you sort of go, 'does international rowing want to have the athletes in jeopardy of that sort of stuff?'."

Despite Rolland and Konietzko believing the venue will provide fair competition having reviewed the technical assessment, Ginn still has doubts.

He added: "Even just the idea of being at a venue where you could have your race decided by half a second and it could show it's different in lanes by two or three seconds.

"And, while I'm thinking Rockhampton is a great town, I just don't think it's right for the Olympic Games to spread the venues out in such a way that jeopardises the experience for the athletes and spectators."