Fitzroy River Wins Olympic Rowing Nod
The International Olympic Committee has approved Rockhampton's Fitzroy River as the venue for rowing and canoe sprint events at the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games, following months of debate and assessment. The decision has been hailed as a win for regional Queensland, with local leaders welcoming the opportunity for economic and community benefits.
After months of fierce debate, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has approved rowing and canoe sprint events on Rockhampton's Fitzroy River for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Premier David Crisafulli said the doubters had been proven wrong with today's announcement. "The IOC assessment for the site is complete," Mr Crisafulli said. "The Fitzroy has passed with flying colours. It's official. Signed, sealed and delivered."
International Backing for Fitzroy River Course
International rowing bodies had questioned the location's suitability for competition. However, World Rowing and Paddle Worldwide also backed an independent technical assessment of the Rockhampton flatwater course.
The Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) and internationally renowned marine engineering experts WaterProof Marine Consultancy and Services B.V. (WaterProof) completed a comprehensive, independent technical assessment of the Fitzroy River.
The assessment included extensive on-water investigations and modelling to understand how the course would perform under a range of conditions, weather patterns, water levels and flood risk at both Games time and throughout the period leading into the event.
Having reviewed the assessment, World Rowing president Jean-Christophe Rolland and Paddle Worldwide president Thomas Konietzko endorsed the central Queensland waterway.
"Based on the extensive analysis undertaken, we now know that the Fitzroy River is capable of providing fair competition conditions during the period of the Games, consistent with the requirements of Olympic and Paralympic rowing," Mr Rolland said.
A Boost for Regional Queensland
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleije told state parliament "it's a win for regional Queensland". "The experts have confirmed it. World Rowing and Paddle Worldwide have endorsed it," he said. "Rockhampton is good for rowing and rowing is good for 2032 and beyond."
Now the decision is confirmed, Paddle Australia president and triple Olympian Andrew Trim said the national body was "excited to work with all our athletes, current and emerging, to maximise this once in a lifetime opportunity to compete at the biggest sporting event in the world on home soil".
Rockhampton's Rowing Dream Takes Shape
Rockhampton Mayor Tony Williams welcomed the confirmation of the Fitzroy River as the venue for rowing at the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
"This endorsement proves what we've always known. That Rockhampton's Fitzroy River will be the perfect venue for rowing at the 2032 Games," he said. "Rockhampton is ready for the world stage. Now it's time to get to work and secure the infrastructure and opportunities that will benefit our community long after the Games have ended."
Queensland senator and National Party leader Matt Canavan, who first championed the Fitzroy River as an Olympic venue, said it was a great day for central Queensland.
"The Fitzroy River is one of the most beautiful parts of our country. It's an iconic Australian river," he said. "It's been a tough fight, and some people had not wanted rowing to be outside of south-east Queensland."
What's Next for the Fitzroy River Venue?
The Queensland premier said GIICA would now proceed with the detailed planning, design and construction of the Rockhampton site.
He also told state parliament there would be no widening or dredging and that the Fitzroy Barrage was Rockhampton's "secret weapon".
While the river has passed an independent technical assessment, the region will require more accommodation to support an influx of athletes and visitors in 2032.
"Rockhampton knows how to host major events. It already hosts tens of thousands of people for Beef Week and Rockynats, and the Games will deliver extra accommodation for the future," Mr Crisafulli said.
President of the Rockhampton Fitzroy Rowing Club, Sarah Black, was ecstatic about the news. "We've known that the course here is fantastic, but to have that international endorsement for the technical assessment is just fantastic news for us here in Rockhampton," she said.
Capricorn Enterprise chief executive Mary Carroll said today's announcement was a major milestone for central Queensland and an opportunity to deliver lasting economic, tourism and community benefits for the region.
"Commercial in confidence discussions have been proceeding positively with major investors to this region who I strongly believe will be able to deliver new hotel accommodation, an athletes' village and legacy infrastructure including world-class rowing and canoeing facilities," she said.