Brisbane’s Fitzroy River: A Unique Challenge for Olympic Rowers

The land Down Under, famous for its array of deadly creatures, presents an intriguing challenge for rowers at the upcoming 2032 Olympic Games. The events will take place in the Fitzroy River, which is home to over 600 saltwater crocodiles.

And that’s just the beginning.

Alongside crocodiles, the river has previously been home to dangerous Australian box jellyfish and bull sharks. Not to mention the venomous snakes lurking in the vicinity—definitely a robust mix of hazardous wildlife in both the waters and on the banks.

Interestingly, these concerns seem to be off the radar for the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

In six years, the Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics are set to hold rowing and canoe sprint events right here, according to a report by the BBC. The site has successfully passed an assessment approved by the IOC, deemed safe and appropriate for athletes.

The presidents of World Rowing and Paddle Worldwide, Jean-Christophe Rolland and Thomas Konietzko, have both assessed the river and given their support, emphasizing that it could serve as a suitable and consistent venue for the competitions.

Rolland noted that this stretch of water can provide fair conditions necessary for Olympic and Paralympic rowing and canoe sprint events.

In response to concerns, Brisbane’s Olympic chief, Andrew Liveris, commented that worrying about aquatic creatures was somewhat exaggerated, likening it to something from Hollywood.

“There are sharks in the ocean, and we still do surfing,” he remarked to the Guardian.

In the past, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed some skepticism about the plans, calling the Fitzroy “a great river” for leisurely walks but questioning the wisdom of hosting rowing events there. He joked that while world records might be broken, athletes would certainly need to paddle quickly.