The Fitzroy River in Australia has been cleared to host the rowing and canoeing events at the 2032 Olympics despite the water body being home to a high count of crocodiles.
This comes on the back of an assessment report published by the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) that based its assessment on “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 Fitzroy River, located in Rockhampton, Queensland is home to about 500 crocodiles according to the BBC which poses a serious danger to potential rowers in the upcoming competition.
However, World Rowing and Paddle Worldwide, formerly International Canoe Federation have endorsed the Fitzroy River as a suitable venue with World Rowing President Jean-Christophe Rolland stating,
“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.”
Australian city Brisbane will host the 2032 Olympics and President of the competition, Andrew Liveris, doubled down on the choice of the venue by stating that,
“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” and added that, “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.”
