Crocodile river locked in to host Brisbane 2032 Olympic events despite international backlash

The International Olympic Committee has approved the rowing and canoe sprint events for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games being staged on Rockhampton's Fitzroy River despite concerns about the river's suitability.

Queensland premier David Crisafulli announced on Thursday that the IOC had completed their own assessment of the Fitzroy River and have given the green light for the Central Queensland river that discharges into the Great Barrier Reef to host Olympic events.

Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

After significant safety and wildlife concerns, including potential dredging of the river, the impact of the river's tidal flows and strong current on competition, as well as the presence of saltwater crocodiles within the Fitzroy River system, had sparked public and politic debate, Crisafulli said "the Fitzroy has passed with flying colours".

"It's official. Signed, sealed and delivered," he added.

While Queensland's deputy premier Jarrod Bleijie said World Rowing and Paddle have endorsed the Fitzroy River with their analysis saying the course could be full width with eight lanes as well as having sufficient room for the start and finish areas on a 2000m course.

Bleijie stressed that there would be no dredging required, while World Rowing and Paddle expressed their belief to the Queensland government that the Fitzroy River can "deliver fair competition".

"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.

"We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Brisbane 2032, GIICA, Paddle Worldwide, the IOC and IPC in the coming phases of venue planning."

The decision brings to an end a year-and-a-half of uncertainty surrounding the location of the rowing and canoe sprint events in the Brisbane Games.

Originally, Olympic organisers proposed to construct a $250 million purpose-built, flatwater facility at Wyaralong Dam, roughly 75km inland from the Gold Coast in the Scenic Rim.

But cost overruns and regional decentralisation goals prompted the Queensland government to look elsewhere.

Crisafulli nominated the Fitzroy River to host despite the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority's (GIICA) review warning that the river could not fit the course.

Questions had also been raised over logistics issues like housing athletes, media and spectators in a regional city with limited accommodation.

Earlier this month, representatives from New Zealand, Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom all raised concerns over the Fitzroy River's sustainability and location during the World Rowing congress in Amsterdam.

German Rowing Federation president Moritz Petri said he had been contacted by athletes who raised their concerns.

"They were saying if we are not being in the core of the Olympic city, and not being part of the Olympic village, why we are then not using the former Sydney 2000 regatta course which should still be there?" he said.

"Isn't it more sustainable from an environmental perspective?"

At that congress, Brisbane 2032 chief executive Cindy Hook told delegates that the Games' organisers will have "contingency plans as we would for any venue".

"I also just caution everybody, there are a lot of people talking about this, not always with full facts, especially when it comes to throwing out other potential locations," she said.

The backlash from other nations sparked a fiery response from the Queensland premier.

"Let's be honest, let's scratch beneath the surface and call it for what it is," he said.

"It is a group of interstate and overseas elites who are trying to bully their way because they don't want to go to regional Queensland and that's not right."

Brisbane 2032 President Andrew Liveris said "thorough and robust" assessments had been undertaken on the Fitzroy River before giving been the tick of approval.

"Fair competition and the highest field of play standards are paramount to the success of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, together with athletes and Para athletes competing," he said.

"Thorough and robust assessment of the Fitzroy River course has proved fair and equal competitions can take place, which has led to positive endorsement by both International Federations.

"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."

In a mini-test of the river's credentials, it will host the Queensland Schools' Championship Regatta in the coming days.

"We're going to have the state rowing competition for our schools right here," Rockhampton MP Donna Kirkland said earlier this month.

"All the lanes are in, they're ready to go, they'll be rowing, and if it's good enough for them to row on the Fitzroy River, then it's good enough for the Europeans, for the Americans, for the Canadians, for those coming from Japan and China, all around the world."