The International Rowing Federation (World Rowing) has made a decision regarding the potential hosting of rowing competitions at the 2032 Olympic Games in Australia on the Fitzroy River, which is inhabited by numerous crocodiles. According to a statement from World Rowing, as cited by the TASS news agency, the river was deemed not suitable for hosting competitions due to a lack of a technical feasibility study confirming its suitability for national or international events. The statement denied previous reports of national championships or Australian rowing championships being held on the river.
Earlier, the Queensland state government in Australia had proposed using the Fitzroy River as an Olympic course. The Daily Mail reported that the 630-kilometer river, located north of Brisbane, is known for its crocodile population, with sightings of the reptiles even within the city limits, as reported in January. Despite this, the government had planned to push forward with the Olympic event, with Sarah Black, the president of the Fitzroy Rowing Club, describing media reports as “exaggerated.” The authorities had also stated that the crocodiles would be relocated if the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and World Rowing approved the event.
However, the competitions will not be held on the Fitzroy River, with the decision attributed not to the presence of crocodiles, but to the unique current of the river. According to the Australian Rowing Federation, the stronger current in the middle and deeper parts of the river creates an unfair advantage, making it unsuitable for competition.