River with 500 Crocodiles Will Host Rowing at the Brisbane 2032 Olympics

A river in central Queensland, Australia, is home to about 500 saltwater crocodiles. Now it will also host Olympic boat races. The Fitzroy River at Rockhampton has won approval to hold the rowing and canoe events at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The decision came after independent experts studied the river. They checked the weather, water levels and flood risk, but they did not study the crocodiles. The world bodies for rowing and canoeing, World Rowing and Paddle Worldwide, also agreed. Queensland's deputy premier, Jarrod Bleijie, said the river is wide enough for eight boats to race side by side, and no digging or widening is needed.

But many rowers are not happy. An open letter signed by 542 rowers, including Drew Ginn, who won three Olympic gold medals, said the course should be built near Brisbane instead, because the Fitzroy River is six or seven hours away. They also worried about the water: it moves very fast, it can flood, and it carries silt, which is soft mud. A local council said a site at Moreton Bay would cost half as much as Rockhampton's plan. Ginn said he was not afraid of the animals, but he did not want athletes put "in jeopardy", which means in danger.

Olympic officials have been told that the rowers will be safe. There are plans for what to do when crocodiles are seen, and they are less active in winter, when the Games are expected to be held. The decision ends months of argument, and planning and building can now begin.