Breaking: Olympic authorities sign off on controversial rowing and canoeing venue

International Olympic Committee approves Rockhampton's Fitzroy River rowing course Posted Thu 17 Sep 2026 at 10:09amThu 17 Sep 2026 at 10:09am, updated Thu 17 Sep 2026 at 10:34amThu 17 Sep 2026 at 10:34amDavid Crisafulli says Rockhampton has passed "with flying colours". (ABC Capricornia: Jacob Gamble)After months of fierce debate, the International Olympic Committee has approved rowing and canoe sprint events to be hosted 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."It comes after World Rowing and Paddle Worldwide also backed an independent technical assessment of the Rockhampton flatwater course.International rowing bodies had questioned the location's suitability for competition. (Supplied: Rockhampton Regional Council)Comprehensive and independent technical assessment of the Fitzroy River has been completed by the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) and internationally renowned marine engineering experts WaterProof Marine Consultancy and Services B.V. (WaterProof).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 both endorsed the course.Mr Rolland said it could provide a safe, fair and consistent field of play suitable for Olympic and Paralympic rowing and canoe sprint competitions."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," he said.Tony Williams has thanked the state government for its support of Olympic rowing in the city. (ABC Capricornia: Jacob Gamble)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."