Crocodiles no issue, river current could halt Brisbane rowing plans
The crocodiles that inhabit the Fitzroy River appear not to be too much of an issue but the water current could scupper plans to stage the rowing at the 2032 Olympics in Rockhampton, some 600 kilometres north of Brisbane.
The proposal to hold the rowing events in the city on the central Queensland coast were announced on Tuesday along with the final venue plan for Australia's third Olympics.
Rowing Australia appear to have been blindsided by the announcement, having submitted plans for a "2000m, 8-10 lane venue in Queensland" to the state government's review of Games infrastructure.
While the Fitzroy River is home to crocodiles, the waterway is used for rowing by schools, a local club as well as for elite training and Rowing Australia's cautious response to the announcement was focused on more technical issues.
"While the facility has been suitable in a training capacity, it has not undergone any technical feasibility study that would confirm its ability to host national or international level racing," the body said in a statement.
"Fairness and safety are paramount to any venue hosting a regatta of this magnitude and importance, with any river current that could impact results or favour certain lanes not permissible under the rules.
"Water quality and weed management are also factors to be considered by the International Federation."
World Rowing, which must approve the venue, also released a statement noting the potential issues.
"World Rowing will continue to work with all key stakeholders, to ensure a satisfactory solution is found with the integrity of the competition and safety of all athletes and officials as utmost priority," it read.
Canoe sprint events are also slated for the river and the International Canoe Federation (ICF) was less than effusive in its response to the decision.
"It has come as a surprise to both the ICF and Paddle Australia that Rockhampton has been chosen considering the extensive examinations that had been conducted on other potential venues," it said in a statement.
"The ICF will continue to work with Paddle Australia, the Queensland Government and other stakeholders to assess the venue options, ensuring that the best solution is found to host sprint races at the Games in 2032."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hi Dubai
7 hours ago
- Hi Dubai
UAE Launches National Service Athlete Programme to Support Elite Sports Talent
The UAE has launched the National Service Athlete Programme, a new initiative that allows elite Emirati athletes to continue training and competing while fulfilling their national service obligations. Unveiled at a special event organised by the Ministry of Sports and the Ministry of Defence, the programme aims to integrate top athletes into structured training during their service and enable participation in key competitions that impact international rankings and Olympic qualifications. The first cohort includes athletes preparing for major events such as the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar 2026 and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Participants span a wide range of disciplines, including athletics, fencing, equestrian, archery, and combat sports. The programme reflects a broader national strategy to empower youth, strengthen physical readiness, and align sports development with the UAE's vision for the future. It also supports the goals of the National Sports Strategy 2031 and the wider 'We the UAE 2031' agenda. Officials said the initiative will help identify new talent, promote discipline through sport, and prepare a generation of well-rounded Emiratis capable of representing the country on the global stage. A joint committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Sports, the Ministry of Defence, and other stakeholders will oversee the implementation, including athlete assessments, tournament participation, and collaborative workshops focused on coaching and fitness development. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Al Etihad
15 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Trump travel ban in effect from today, citizens from 12 nations barred from US
9 June 2025 08:39 Washington (AFP)President Donald Trump's sweeping new travel ban came into effect early on Monday immediately after midnight, barring citizens from a dozen nations from entering the United States and reviving a divisive measure from his first move is expected to disrupt refugee pathways and further restrict immigration as the Trump administration expands its crackdown on illegal of the nations covered by the restrictions have adversarial relations with the United States, such as Iran and Afghanistan, while others face severe crises, like Haiti and announcing his restrictions last week, Trump said the new measure was spurred by a recent "terrorist attack" in Colorado. The group had been protesting in solidarity with hostages held in Gaza when they were assaulted by a man the White House said had overstayed his attack, Trump said, "underscored the extreme dangers posed to our country by the entry of foreign nationals who are not properly vetted" or who overstay their move bans all travel to the United States by nationals of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, according to the White also imposed a partial ban on travelers from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela. Some temporary work visas from those countries will be countries could be added, Trump warned, "as threats emerge around the world." World Cup, Olympics, diplomats excluded The ban will not apply to athletes competing in the 2026 World Cup, which the United States is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico, or in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Trump's order will it apply to diplomats from the targeted Nations rights chief Volker Turk warned that "the broad and sweeping nature of the new travel ban raises concerns from the perspective of international law." US Democratic lawmakers and elected officials blasted the ban as draconian and of a new travel ban had circulated following the Colorado attack, with Trump's administration vowing to pursue "terrorists" living in the United States on officials said suspect Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national according to court documents, was in the country illegally having overstayed a tourist visa, but that he had applied for asylum in September 2022. Trump's new travel ban notably does not include Egypt.
Filipino Times
3 days ago
- Filipino Times
EJ Obiena wins third straight Asian pole vault gold in South Korea
Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena defended his title at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships, winning the gold medal in the men's pole vault event in Gumi, South Korea. Obiena cleared 5.77 meters, placing him ahead of his closest rivals from China and Thailand. This is his third time winning gold at the Asian championships. The silver medal went to China's Bokai Huang, who managed to jump 5.72 meters. Thailand's Patsapong Amsamarng took the bronze with a jump of 5.67 meters. Pole vault is a track and field event where athletes use a long pole to jump over a high bar. It requires strength, speed, and technique—skills that Obiena continues to showcase in every international competition. Obiena's win brings pride once again to the Philippines, especially for Filipinos living and working abroad who closely follow his achievements. He is also preparing for upcoming events leading to the Paris Olympics in 2024, where he is expected to represent the country. Written with the contributions of Alona Cochon.
