The Fitzroy River in Rockhampton, Queensland, has been approved as the venue for the Olympic and Paralympic canoeing events in 2032, despite the presence of over 500 crocodiles. This announcement comes amid concerns about potential risks for athletes.
Concerns About Athlete Safety
Athletes have pointed out that the presence of crocodiles could pose a threat to their safety. In 2023, local authorities captured a 4.5-meter crocodile due to its presence in the water, which led to the cancellation of a local canoeing race. Additionally, last year, a 4-meter crocodile hunted a 16-month-old dog in the water, further fueling concerns.
Three-time Olympic gold medalist Drew Ginn said, "I'm sure athletes will paddle faster!" He raised this as one of the initial concerns, adding that while it is not a priority, it should be addressed.
Crocodile Management and Athlete Safety
Rockhampton Mayor Tony Williams warned athletes to be mindful of the crocodiles. He said, "We are not shirking this issue; crocodiles are present in this river. However, there are management plans in place to control them."
Game officials have yet to provide a plan for relocating the crocodiles and instead have referred to a positive approach. Andrew Levris, chair of the Brisbane 2032 organizing committee, stated, "There are sharks in the ocean, and we still go boating. This is a 'can do' attitude, not a 'can't do' one."
However, 542 paddlers have sent a letter to the state government requesting the construction of a dedicated facility in southeastern Queensland. This letter addresses concerns about the river conditions, which also have strong currents. The Fitzroy River is approximately 480 kilometers long, with an average of 1.67 crocodiles per mile.
A report prepared to assess the river's safety only addressed weather conditions and river performance, without mentioning crocodiles. The report emphasized that "emergency plans for situations when crocodiles are sighted have been considered, and Olympic officials have previously assured the safety of paddlers."
John Lorr, a local crocodile farmer, stated that crocodiles downstream are not particularly concerning. He added, "In the past 40 years, only four crocodiles have been removed from this area, and there is no specific concern."
Results from extensive analyses indicate that the Fitzroy River can provide fair conditions for hosting competitions during the games. Jean-Christophe Roland, president of the International Canoeing Federation, also confirmed this, stating, "We now know that this river is capable of providing fair competition conditions."
