River Home to 500 Crocodiles Chosen as 2032 Olympic Rowing Venue: ‘I’d Row Faster’

• The Fitzroy River in Queensland, Australia, which is reportedly home to around 500 crocodiles, will host flatwater events for the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics
• Officials released a statement on Thursday, Sept. 17, stating that the river is “safe” for water events despite being in a known crocodile habitat

• Brisbane Olympic President Andrew Liveris defended the decision to use the Fitzroy River last year

The Fitzroy River in Queensland, Australia, which is reportedly home to around 500 crocodiles, will host flatwater events for the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics

Officials released a statement on Thursday, Sept. 17, stating that the river is “safe” for water events despite being in a known crocodile habitat

Brisbane Olympic President Andrew Liveris defended the decision to use the Fitzroy River last year

An Australian river home to around 500 crocodiles has been named as a venue for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics.

The flatwater course on the Fitzroy River, located in Rockhampton, Queensland, was endorsed by World Rowing and Paddle Australia on Thursday, Sept. 17, following an assessment of its suitability, according to a statement by the Queensland Government.

Tests were carried out by the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) and were then reviewed by the two organizations, which confirmed the location can “provide a safe, fair and consistent field of play suitable for rowing, Para rowing, canoe sprint and Para canoe events,” per a GIICA statement.

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The Rockhampton Regional Council describes the area as a “known crocodile habitat.” The reptiles that live there are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, meaning it is an offence “to kill, injure or take crocodiles from the wild without appropriate permits.”

“No natural waterway in crocodile country is ever guaranteed to be free of crocodiles,” the council states. “It is important to practice croc-wise behaviour while working or relaxing near waterways, even if there are no warning signs.”

There are reportedly around 500 crocodiles in the river, according to BBC Sport and British newspapers The Telegraph and The Independent.

“Rockhampton has earned its place on the world stage, and the endorsement today means we’re one step closer to seeing the best rowers in the world race on the mighty Fitzroy River,” Tim Mander, Minister for Olympic and Paralympic Games, said in the government announcement.

The GIICA said in its release that the Fitzroy River already hosts national team training events and competitions for flatwater sports, including school state championships and local regattas.

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Fitzroy River in Rockhampton
Credit: Getty

It added that flatwater events in Rockhampton will “inspire local athletes” and boost the local economy.

Australian gold medalist rower Drew Ginn told the BBC that although he is not scared of local animals, he hasn’t been up close with a crocodile before.

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“I’m sure I’d row faster, I’m sure all the athletes would row faster,” Ginn said. “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.”

He added, “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?’ ”

Brisbane Olympic President Andrew Liveris defended the decision to use the Fitzroy River last year.

“There’s sharks in the ocean, right? And we still do sailing and surfing, like in Tahiti,” he said at the venue announcement in 2025, per Australian outlet 7News.

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