# Fitzroy River greenlit for 2032 Olympics rowing

> World rowing body picks crocodile-infested Fitzroy River as 2032 Brisbane Olympics rowing venue after safety checks
- Title: Fitzroy River greenlit for 2032 Olympics rowing · Malay Mail
- Summary: World rowing body picks crocodile-infested Fitzroy River as 2032 Brisbane Olympics rowing venue after safety checks Crocodile habitat confirmed safe for…
- Keywords: fitzroy river, brisbane olympics, 2032 olympics, world rowing, paddle worldwide, saltwater crocodile, rockhampton, queensland, news, world, Fitzroy, River
- Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/sports/2026/09/17/can-do-not-cant-do-world-rowing-panel-greenlights-fitzroy-river-for-2032-brisbane-olympics-crocodiles-and-all/235491
- Published: 2026-09-17T21:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: fitzroy river, brisbane olympics, 2032 olympics, world rowing, paddle worldwide, saltwater crocodile, rockhampton, queensland, news, world
## Crocodile habitat confirmed
A 5.2-metre male crocodile with a gunshot wound was found in Fitzroy River creek near Rockhampton in 2017

> A 5.2-metre male crocodile was found in a creek along the Fitzroy River near Rockhampton, Brisbane in Australia with a single gunshot wound to the head in 2017
## World rowing panel approves site
World Rowing and Paddle Worldwide confirmed Fitzroy River as 2032 Brisbane Olympics rowing venue after technical assessment

> World Rowing and Paddle Worldwide, along with Olympic organizers, have endorsed the choice, citing confidence in the river's ability to provide fair competition conditions
## Flooding and current concerns
River prone to flooding with strong currents that could create uneven competition conditions

> The river is prone to flooding and has strong currents that can create uneven competition conditions
## Accommodation issues
Limited rower and spectator accommodation options raised fairness concerns

> A lack of accommodation options for rowers and spectators was also an issue
## Petition for relocation
Thousands signed petition to move events to purpose-built facility near Brisbane

> Thousands of people signed a petition to have the events moved to a purpose built facility nearer to Brisbane
## Safety measures promised
Officials promise processes for reporting crocodile sightings and monitoring

> The threat from crocodiles was not addressed in the assessment but officials have previously said there will be processes in place for reporting sightings
## Brisbane 2032 president response
Brisbane 2032 President says crocodile issue is 'can do, not can't do'

> There are sharks in the ocean and we're still surfing... it's a can do, not a can't do, please change the mindset here
## Key takeaway

Crocodile habitat confirmed safe for rowing with no relocation needed