Brisbane 2032 Olympic rowing events are to be held on a Queensland river that is home to 500 crocodiles

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.

The Fitzroy River in Rockhampton, Queensland, has passed a technical assessment and been confirmed as the host venue for rowing and canoe sprint competition at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, despite harbouring around 500 saltwater crocodiles that can grow to four metres. The river sits 600km from Brisbane, yet senior figures in the sport say the reptiles are not their chief concern. Three-time Olympic gold medallist Drew Ginn has flagged flooding and competitive fairness as priorities, while British Rowing chief executive Tom Solesbury has faced questions about how the Fitzroy's tidal movement and natural curves would affect racing.

Queensland state government records going back more than 40 years show no crocodile attacks on humans along the river.

Athletes are more troubled by the way the Fitzroy's tidal flows and natural bends would make fair elite competition unworkable.

Ginn conceded that athletes 'would all row faster' near a crocodile — but said fairness and flooding were the greater concerns.