Latest news with #RowingAustralia
Sydney Morning Herald
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Rocky waters ahead for Brisbane 2032's Olympic rowing plan
'...The main issue for rowing is fairness, so obviously if there's stream, typically the deeper or the middle section of the river is going to flow faster than the sides of it,' Rowing Australia chief executive Sarah Cook told me in March. 'Because a rowing course is eight to 10 lanes wide, it would make the middle lanes faster than the outside lanes, which is why it can't be used for an Olympic regatta or a Paralympic regatta, because it would be unfair for the competitors.' The minister responsible for Olympic infrastructure, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie, repeated the clearly workshopped 'Pierre from Paris' line at last week's Queensland Media Club lunch, where the new intergovernmental funding agreement was announced. Dismissing rowing's concerns, Bleijie pointed to the 2028 Olympic rowing venue as a justification for Rockhampton's controversial candidature. 'In LA, the rowing facility does not meet the International Olympic Committee requirements – it's too short,' he said. 'But you know what they did? They just said, for LA it'll be OK and they signed off on it. So they do bend the rules for other venues.' For Rowing Australia life member and historian Andrew Guerin, Los Angeles was a poor comparison to make. 'The 2028 LA course is probably the worst ever used as it is shorter than normal and subject to tidal streams. All racing will have to held on the turn of high tide to minimise the impacts,' he said. 'Rocky is one step worse combining, as I understand, both stream and tide. I've got no idea how that can be managed.' Guerin said the Rocky course had little by way tide and stream mitigation, which made it difficult to control and create a fair course. And it's also prone to flooding. At the Queensland Media Club event on Thursday, Bleijie described the Fitzroy River surface as a 'mirror'. But, last August, the planned State School Championships in Rockhampton had to be relocated due to heavy rain and flash flooding. The 2032 Olympics will be held from July 23 to August 8 – about the same time of year. It's a risky choice. As Olympic Games executive director Christophe Dubi said during a May visit to Brisbane, the decision on whether to host rowing on the Fitzroy will ultimately not be the government's to make, but World Rowing. 'No one else than the federation can say 'field of play ready',' he said. While political hypocrisy is about as common as gambling in a casino, it's always good to call out. Before the election, Crisafulli and his LNP colleagues repeatedly promised to take the politics out of planning and listen to the experts. So what did the people with expertise say about the Fitzroy River? 'This option was not progressed on the basis of insufficient space for field of play and warm-up, inadequate onshore space and access road upgrade requirements, as well as limited accommodation options for athletes and officials,' the Games Independent Infrastructure and Co-ordination Authority determined in its 100-day review. The Crisafulli government ignored GIICA, running roughshod over decision-making process and overseeing the most nakedly political Games decision since Brisbane won hosting rights in 2021. The LNP claimed the electorate of Rockhampton at last year's state election, and holds it with a margin of less than 2 per cent. If you don't think that played a role in the Crisafulli government's decision, then I'd be happy to sell you the Fitzroy Bridge. Crisafulli quite rightly criticised the former Labor government's Olympic mismanagement, from Annastacia Palaszczuk's ill-informed captain's call to rebuild the Gabba to Steven Miles' embarrassing QSAC gambit. But by repeating the same mistakes, albeit on a far less consequential scale, the LNP has demonstrated it's just as willing to play politics with the Olympic Games as its predecessors.
The Age
06-07-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Rocky waters ahead for Brisbane 2032's Olympic rowing plan
'...The main issue for rowing is fairness, so obviously if there's stream, typically the deeper or the middle section of the river is going to flow faster than the sides of it,' Rowing Australia chief executive Sarah Cook told me in March. 'Because a rowing course is eight to 10 lanes wide, it would make the middle lanes faster than the outside lanes, which is why it can't be used for an Olympic regatta or a Paralympic regatta, because it would be unfair for the competitors.' The minister responsible for Olympic infrastructure, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie, repeated the clearly workshopped 'Pierre from Paris' line at last week's Queensland Media Club lunch, where the new intergovernmental funding agreement was announced. Dismissing rowing's concerns, Bleijie pointed to the 2028 Olympic rowing venue as a justification for Rockhampton's controversial candidature. 'In LA, the rowing facility does not meet the International Olympic Committee requirements – it's too short,' he said. 'But you know what they did? They just said, for LA it'll be OK and they signed off on it. So they do bend the rules for other venues.' For Rowing Australia life member and historian Andrew Guerin, Los Angeles was a poor comparison to make. 'The 2028 LA course is probably the worst ever used as it is shorter than normal and subject to tidal streams. All racing will have to held on the turn of high tide to minimise the impacts,' he said. 'Rocky is one step worse combining, as I understand, both stream and tide. I've got no idea how that can be managed.' Guerin said the Rocky course had little by way tide and stream mitigation, which made it difficult to control and create a fair course. And it's also prone to flooding. At the Queensland Media Club event on Thursday, Bleijie described the Fitzroy River surface as a 'mirror'. But, last August, the planned State School Championships in Rockhampton had to be relocated due to heavy rain and flash flooding. The 2032 Olympics will be held from July 23 to August 8 – about the same time of year. It's a risky choice. As Olympic Games executive director Christophe Dubi said during a May visit to Brisbane, the decision on whether to host rowing on the Fitzroy will ultimately not be the government's to make, but World Rowing. 'No one else than the federation can say 'field of play ready',' he said. While political hypocrisy is about as common as gambling in a casino, it's always good to call out. Before the election, Crisafulli and his LNP colleagues repeatedly promised to take the politics out of planning and listen to the experts. So what did the people with expertise say about the Fitzroy River? 'This option was not progressed on the basis of insufficient space for field of play and warm-up, inadequate onshore space and access road upgrade requirements, as well as limited accommodation options for athletes and officials,' the Games Independent Infrastructure and Co-ordination Authority determined in its 100-day review. The Crisafulli government ignored GIICA, running roughshod over decision-making process and overseeing the most nakedly political Games decision since Brisbane won hosting rights in 2021. The LNP claimed the electorate of Rockhampton at last year's state election, and holds it with a margin of less than 2 per cent. If you don't think that played a role in the Crisafulli government's decision, then I'd be happy to sell you the Fitzroy Bridge. Crisafulli quite rightly criticised the former Labor government's Olympic mismanagement, from Annastacia Palaszczuk's ill-informed captain's call to rebuild the Gabba to Steven Miles' embarrassing QSAC gambit. But by repeating the same mistakes, albeit on a far less consequential scale, the LNP has demonstrated it's just as willing to play politics with the Olympic Games as its predecessors.
The Advertiser
30-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
On the rebound, rowers in strong World Cup performance
Australia's rowing team have capped off their World Cup series campaign with a strong showing in Switzerland as 29 athletes across six crews made it onto the podium. The Lucerne regatta was their final international test before the world championships in Shanghai in September, as Australia look to rebound from a disappointing Olympic campaign last year when they won just a solitary bronze medal in Paris. The Aussies finished third overall in the medal tally across the two World Cup regattas with two gold, three silver and one bronze medal. The men's four made it back-to-back gold medals, again leading from the start as they held off late charges from Romania and Lithuania to win in five minutes 47.03 seconds. "We didn't quite have everyone at Varese (in Italy); it's really strong competition here today and during this week, so it's nice to see where we're at," Australia's stroke Alexander Hill said. Paralympian Erik Horrie also backed up a victory at Varese as he absorbed early pressure from France's Alexis Sanchez before powering away to comfortably win the PR1 men's single sculls in 9:01.16. The women's four also impressed, surging out to an early lead before taking the silver behind the United States, holding off New Zealand and Great Britain. The men's eight produced a courageous performance, attacking early and pushing the pace through the middle 1000m as they claimed the silver behind winners Germany with Romania third. The women's eight was also involved in a tight tussle as they earned bronze behind winners Romania and the United States. And Australia's PR3 mixed double sculls crew of Lisa Greissl and Sam Stunell returned to the podium with silver, closing the gap on the German crew that beat them in Varese. "We've seen competitive racing right across the squad and that's exactly what we want before bringing the team together for Shanghai," said Rowing Australia performance director Paul Thompson. Before that, several crews will shift gears and head to England for the Henley Royal Regatta, where they'll take on traditional side-by-side knockout racing on one of the sport's most historic courses. "Henley's completely different," Thompson said. "It's racing for pride and an experience every rower should embrace. They should enjoy it, take it one race at a time, and see how far they can go." Australia's rowing team have capped off their World Cup series campaign with a strong showing in Switzerland as 29 athletes across six crews made it onto the podium. The Lucerne regatta was their final international test before the world championships in Shanghai in September, as Australia look to rebound from a disappointing Olympic campaign last year when they won just a solitary bronze medal in Paris. The Aussies finished third overall in the medal tally across the two World Cup regattas with two gold, three silver and one bronze medal. The men's four made it back-to-back gold medals, again leading from the start as they held off late charges from Romania and Lithuania to win in five minutes 47.03 seconds. "We didn't quite have everyone at Varese (in Italy); it's really strong competition here today and during this week, so it's nice to see where we're at," Australia's stroke Alexander Hill said. Paralympian Erik Horrie also backed up a victory at Varese as he absorbed early pressure from France's Alexis Sanchez before powering away to comfortably win the PR1 men's single sculls in 9:01.16. The women's four also impressed, surging out to an early lead before taking the silver behind the United States, holding off New Zealand and Great Britain. The men's eight produced a courageous performance, attacking early and pushing the pace through the middle 1000m as they claimed the silver behind winners Germany with Romania third. The women's eight was also involved in a tight tussle as they earned bronze behind winners Romania and the United States. And Australia's PR3 mixed double sculls crew of Lisa Greissl and Sam Stunell returned to the podium with silver, closing the gap on the German crew that beat them in Varese. "We've seen competitive racing right across the squad and that's exactly what we want before bringing the team together for Shanghai," said Rowing Australia performance director Paul Thompson. Before that, several crews will shift gears and head to England for the Henley Royal Regatta, where they'll take on traditional side-by-side knockout racing on one of the sport's most historic courses. "Henley's completely different," Thompson said. "It's racing for pride and an experience every rower should embrace. They should enjoy it, take it one race at a time, and see how far they can go." Australia's rowing team have capped off their World Cup series campaign with a strong showing in Switzerland as 29 athletes across six crews made it onto the podium. The Lucerne regatta was their final international test before the world championships in Shanghai in September, as Australia look to rebound from a disappointing Olympic campaign last year when they won just a solitary bronze medal in Paris. The Aussies finished third overall in the medal tally across the two World Cup regattas with two gold, three silver and one bronze medal. The men's four made it back-to-back gold medals, again leading from the start as they held off late charges from Romania and Lithuania to win in five minutes 47.03 seconds. "We didn't quite have everyone at Varese (in Italy); it's really strong competition here today and during this week, so it's nice to see where we're at," Australia's stroke Alexander Hill said. Paralympian Erik Horrie also backed up a victory at Varese as he absorbed early pressure from France's Alexis Sanchez before powering away to comfortably win the PR1 men's single sculls in 9:01.16. The women's four also impressed, surging out to an early lead before taking the silver behind the United States, holding off New Zealand and Great Britain. The men's eight produced a courageous performance, attacking early and pushing the pace through the middle 1000m as they claimed the silver behind winners Germany with Romania third. The women's eight was also involved in a tight tussle as they earned bronze behind winners Romania and the United States. And Australia's PR3 mixed double sculls crew of Lisa Greissl and Sam Stunell returned to the podium with silver, closing the gap on the German crew that beat them in Varese. "We've seen competitive racing right across the squad and that's exactly what we want before bringing the team together for Shanghai," said Rowing Australia performance director Paul Thompson. Before that, several crews will shift gears and head to England for the Henley Royal Regatta, where they'll take on traditional side-by-side knockout racing on one of the sport's most historic courses. "Henley's completely different," Thompson said. "It's racing for pride and an experience every rower should embrace. They should enjoy it, take it one race at a time, and see how far they can go."
The Advertiser
20-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Current not crocodiles could sink Olympic river venue
A crocodile habitat unveiled as an Olympic venue is set to come under the microscope, sparking speculation at least one Brisbane 2032 sport could be held interstate. Rockhampton's Fitzroy River is set to be assessed, with an Olympic boss saying it remains to be seen whether it hosts the 2032 Games rowing and sprint canoeing. The river is home to freshwater crocs but its current has emerged as the concern, with the Sydney International Regatta Centre looming if a suitable Queensland venue is not confirmed. Outgoing International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach was not able to guarantee the river would host rowing after arriving in Brisbane for a landmark meeting, saying the world body would evaluate the venue in July. IOC heavyweights have gathered in Brisbane to receive updates on the 2032 Games at a three-day meeting starting on Tuesday. It marks the first time the IOC delegates have visited Australia since Brisbane was unveiled as host almost four years ago. The Fitzroy River has hosted national team training camps, but eyebrows were raised when it was unveiled as a 2032 venue after the Brisbane blueprint was revealed in March. Crocodile sightings are common at the central Queensland site, but organisers have played down speculation that competitors could be attacked. "It makes for a colourful story. But I think that's probably not a key concern," Rowing Australia CEO Sarah Cook told AAP. "We we have schoolkids rowing up there. We put the Australian rowing team out there. "And look, you know, maybe that gives us a bit of home ground advantage." Questions have been asked about the river that has a current, unlike a man-made venue such as the Sydney course. The Queensland government's 2032 venue plan opted for the Fitzroy River, ignoring recommendations to hold rowing at the Sydney 2000 host course at Penrith. Two-time Olympian Ms Cook said the river would have to be assessed against international rowing regatta standards. Any current that could impact results or favour certain lanes would fall outside the rules, she said. "It's a bit of a waiting game. I think there's just a lot of unknowns about that venue at the moment," Ms Cook said. "It is certainly a concern, I think, for Queensland, that potentially another state could pick up the rowing if there's not a suitable venue found in Queensland." Penrith would be able to host the 2032 rowing if the river was scrapped, said Ms Cook, adding that she hoped a Queensland venue was confirmed to ensure the sport's legacy. "That (Penrith) is a fantastic venue. From a Queensland perspective, I can imagine that that's not an appeal and option for the government," she said. "We would love to see a permanent home for rowing in Queensland. "We think that the legacy out of having an Olympic and Paralympic standard flatwater venue would be incredibly important for ... the sport's future." Cook said there were a number of other rowing host options in Queensland including Hinze Dam near the Gold Coast and Wyaralong Dam south of Brisbane. The Australian rowing team are looking to bounce back from their worst Olympic result since 1988 after securing a sole bronze medal at the Paris Games. Local organisers have impressed at the three-day IOC co-ordination committee meeting also attended by IOC president-elect Kirsty Coventry. "You are building on the commitment to our shared values that unite us in this journey towards a successful Olympic Games," Mr Bach told the meeting on Tuesday. "Brisbane 2032 (is) an event where I'm sure ... will inspire the world and set a new benchmark for a new era of Olympic Games." A crocodile habitat unveiled as an Olympic venue is set to come under the microscope, sparking speculation at least one Brisbane 2032 sport could be held interstate. Rockhampton's Fitzroy River is set to be assessed, with an Olympic boss saying it remains to be seen whether it hosts the 2032 Games rowing and sprint canoeing. The river is home to freshwater crocs but its current has emerged as the concern, with the Sydney International Regatta Centre looming if a suitable Queensland venue is not confirmed. Outgoing International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach was not able to guarantee the river would host rowing after arriving in Brisbane for a landmark meeting, saying the world body would evaluate the venue in July. IOC heavyweights have gathered in Brisbane to receive updates on the 2032 Games at a three-day meeting starting on Tuesday. It marks the first time the IOC delegates have visited Australia since Brisbane was unveiled as host almost four years ago. The Fitzroy River has hosted national team training camps, but eyebrows were raised when it was unveiled as a 2032 venue after the Brisbane blueprint was revealed in March. Crocodile sightings are common at the central Queensland site, but organisers have played down speculation that competitors could be attacked. "It makes for a colourful story. But I think that's probably not a key concern," Rowing Australia CEO Sarah Cook told AAP. "We we have schoolkids rowing up there. We put the Australian rowing team out there. "And look, you know, maybe that gives us a bit of home ground advantage." Questions have been asked about the river that has a current, unlike a man-made venue such as the Sydney course. The Queensland government's 2032 venue plan opted for the Fitzroy River, ignoring recommendations to hold rowing at the Sydney 2000 host course at Penrith. Two-time Olympian Ms Cook said the river would have to be assessed against international rowing regatta standards. Any current that could impact results or favour certain lanes would fall outside the rules, she said. "It's a bit of a waiting game. I think there's just a lot of unknowns about that venue at the moment," Ms Cook said. "It is certainly a concern, I think, for Queensland, that potentially another state could pick up the rowing if there's not a suitable venue found in Queensland." Penrith would be able to host the 2032 rowing if the river was scrapped, said Ms Cook, adding that she hoped a Queensland venue was confirmed to ensure the sport's legacy. "That (Penrith) is a fantastic venue. From a Queensland perspective, I can imagine that that's not an appeal and option for the government," she said. "We would love to see a permanent home for rowing in Queensland. "We think that the legacy out of having an Olympic and Paralympic standard flatwater venue would be incredibly important for ... the sport's future." Cook said there were a number of other rowing host options in Queensland including Hinze Dam near the Gold Coast and Wyaralong Dam south of Brisbane. The Australian rowing team are looking to bounce back from their worst Olympic result since 1988 after securing a sole bronze medal at the Paris Games. Local organisers have impressed at the three-day IOC co-ordination committee meeting also attended by IOC president-elect Kirsty Coventry. "You are building on the commitment to our shared values that unite us in this journey towards a successful Olympic Games," Mr Bach told the meeting on Tuesday. "Brisbane 2032 (is) an event where I'm sure ... will inspire the world and set a new benchmark for a new era of Olympic Games." A crocodile habitat unveiled as an Olympic venue is set to come under the microscope, sparking speculation at least one Brisbane 2032 sport could be held interstate. Rockhampton's Fitzroy River is set to be assessed, with an Olympic boss saying it remains to be seen whether it hosts the 2032 Games rowing and sprint canoeing. The river is home to freshwater crocs but its current has emerged as the concern, with the Sydney International Regatta Centre looming if a suitable Queensland venue is not confirmed. Outgoing International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach was not able to guarantee the river would host rowing after arriving in Brisbane for a landmark meeting, saying the world body would evaluate the venue in July. IOC heavyweights have gathered in Brisbane to receive updates on the 2032 Games at a three-day meeting starting on Tuesday. It marks the first time the IOC delegates have visited Australia since Brisbane was unveiled as host almost four years ago. The Fitzroy River has hosted national team training camps, but eyebrows were raised when it was unveiled as a 2032 venue after the Brisbane blueprint was revealed in March. Crocodile sightings are common at the central Queensland site, but organisers have played down speculation that competitors could be attacked. "It makes for a colourful story. But I think that's probably not a key concern," Rowing Australia CEO Sarah Cook told AAP. "We we have schoolkids rowing up there. We put the Australian rowing team out there. "And look, you know, maybe that gives us a bit of home ground advantage." Questions have been asked about the river that has a current, unlike a man-made venue such as the Sydney course. The Queensland government's 2032 venue plan opted for the Fitzroy River, ignoring recommendations to hold rowing at the Sydney 2000 host course at Penrith. Two-time Olympian Ms Cook said the river would have to be assessed against international rowing regatta standards. Any current that could impact results or favour certain lanes would fall outside the rules, she said. "It's a bit of a waiting game. I think there's just a lot of unknowns about that venue at the moment," Ms Cook said. "It is certainly a concern, I think, for Queensland, that potentially another state could pick up the rowing if there's not a suitable venue found in Queensland." Penrith would be able to host the 2032 rowing if the river was scrapped, said Ms Cook, adding that she hoped a Queensland venue was confirmed to ensure the sport's legacy. "That (Penrith) is a fantastic venue. From a Queensland perspective, I can imagine that that's not an appeal and option for the government," she said. "We would love to see a permanent home for rowing in Queensland. "We think that the legacy out of having an Olympic and Paralympic standard flatwater venue would be incredibly important for ... the sport's future." Cook said there were a number of other rowing host options in Queensland including Hinze Dam near the Gold Coast and Wyaralong Dam south of Brisbane. The Australian rowing team are looking to bounce back from their worst Olympic result since 1988 after securing a sole bronze medal at the Paris Games. Local organisers have impressed at the three-day IOC co-ordination committee meeting also attended by IOC president-elect Kirsty Coventry. "You are building on the commitment to our shared values that unite us in this journey towards a successful Olympic Games," Mr Bach told the meeting on Tuesday. "Brisbane 2032 (is) an event where I'm sure ... will inspire the world and set a new benchmark for a new era of Olympic Games." A crocodile habitat unveiled as an Olympic venue is set to come under the microscope, sparking speculation at least one Brisbane 2032 sport could be held interstate. Rockhampton's Fitzroy River is set to be assessed, with an Olympic boss saying it remains to be seen whether it hosts the 2032 Games rowing and sprint canoeing. The river is home to freshwater crocs but its current has emerged as the concern, with the Sydney International Regatta Centre looming if a suitable Queensland venue is not confirmed. Outgoing International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach was not able to guarantee the river would host rowing after arriving in Brisbane for a landmark meeting, saying the world body would evaluate the venue in July. IOC heavyweights have gathered in Brisbane to receive updates on the 2032 Games at a three-day meeting starting on Tuesday. It marks the first time the IOC delegates have visited Australia since Brisbane was unveiled as host almost four years ago. The Fitzroy River has hosted national team training camps, but eyebrows were raised when it was unveiled as a 2032 venue after the Brisbane blueprint was revealed in March. Crocodile sightings are common at the central Queensland site, but organisers have played down speculation that competitors could be attacked. "It makes for a colourful story. But I think that's probably not a key concern," Rowing Australia CEO Sarah Cook told AAP. "We we have schoolkids rowing up there. We put the Australian rowing team out there. "And look, you know, maybe that gives us a bit of home ground advantage." Questions have been asked about the river that has a current, unlike a man-made venue such as the Sydney course. The Queensland government's 2032 venue plan opted for the Fitzroy River, ignoring recommendations to hold rowing at the Sydney 2000 host course at Penrith. Two-time Olympian Ms Cook said the river would have to be assessed against international rowing regatta standards. Any current that could impact results or favour certain lanes would fall outside the rules, she said. "It's a bit of a waiting game. I think there's just a lot of unknowns about that venue at the moment," Ms Cook said. "It is certainly a concern, I think, for Queensland, that potentially another state could pick up the rowing if there's not a suitable venue found in Queensland." Penrith would be able to host the 2032 rowing if the river was scrapped, said Ms Cook, adding that she hoped a Queensland venue was confirmed to ensure the sport's legacy. "That (Penrith) is a fantastic venue. From a Queensland perspective, I can imagine that that's not an appeal and option for the government," she said. "We would love to see a permanent home for rowing in Queensland. "We think that the legacy out of having an Olympic and Paralympic standard flatwater venue would be incredibly important for ... the sport's future." Cook said there were a number of other rowing host options in Queensland including Hinze Dam near the Gold Coast and Wyaralong Dam south of Brisbane. The Australian rowing team are looking to bounce back from their worst Olympic result since 1988 after securing a sole bronze medal at the Paris Games. Local organisers have impressed at the three-day IOC co-ordination committee meeting also attended by IOC president-elect Kirsty Coventry. "You are building on the commitment to our shared values that unite us in this journey towards a successful Olympic Games," Mr Bach told the meeting on Tuesday. "Brisbane 2032 (is) an event where I'm sure ... will inspire the world and set a new benchmark for a new era of Olympic Games."
West Australian
20-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Current not crocodiles could sink Olympic river venue
A crocodile habitat unveiled as an Olympic venue is set to come under the microscope, sparking speculation at least one Brisbane 2032 sport could be held interstate. Rockhampton's Fitzroy River is set to be assessed, with an Olympic boss saying it remains to be seen whether it hosts the 2032 Games rowing and sprint canoeing. The river is home to freshwater crocs but its current has emerged as the concern, with the Sydney International Regatta Centre looming if a suitable Queensland venue is not confirmed. Outgoing International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach was not able to guarantee the river would host rowing after arriving in Brisbane for a landmark meeting, saying the world body would evaluate the venue in July. IOC heavyweights have gathered in Brisbane to receive updates on the 2032 Games at a three-day meeting starting on Tuesday. It marks the first time the IOC delegates have visited Australia since Brisbane was unveiled as host almost four years ago. The Fitzroy River has hosted national team training camps, but eyebrows were raised when it was unveiled as a 2032 venue after the Brisbane blueprint was revealed in March. Crocodile sightings are common at the central Queensland site, but organisers have played down speculation that competitors could be attacked. "It makes for a colourful story. But I think that's probably not a key concern," Rowing Australia CEO Sarah Cook told AAP. "We we have schoolkids rowing up there. We put the Australian rowing team out there. "And look, you know, maybe that gives us a bit of home ground advantage." Questions have been asked about the river that has a current, unlike a man-made venue such as the Sydney course. The Queensland government's 2032 venue plan opted for the Fitzroy River, ignoring recommendations to hold rowing at the Sydney 2000 host course at Penrith. Two-time Olympian Ms Cook said the river would have to be assessed against international rowing regatta standards. Any current that could impact results or favour certain lanes would fall outside the rules, she said. "It's a bit of a waiting game. I think there's just a lot of unknowns about that venue at the moment," Ms Cook said. "It is certainly a concern, I think, for Queensland, that potentially another state could pick up the rowing if there's not a suitable venue found in Queensland." Penrith would be able to host the 2032 rowing if the river was scrapped, said Ms Cook, adding that she hoped a Queensland venue was confirmed to ensure the sport's legacy. "That (Penrith) is a fantastic venue. From a Queensland perspective, I can imagine that that's not an appeal and option for the government," she said. "We would love to see a permanent home for rowing in Queensland. "We think that the legacy out of having an Olympic and Paralympic standard flatwater venue would be incredibly important for ... the sport's future." Cook said there were a number of other rowing host options in Queensland including Hinze Dam near the Gold Coast and Wyaralong Dam south of Brisbane. The Australian rowing team are looking to bounce back from their worst Olympic result since 1988 after securing a sole bronze medal at the Paris Games. Local organisers have impressed at the three-day IOC co-ordination committee meeting also attended by IOC president-elect Kirsty Coventry. "You are building on the commitment to our shared values that unite us in this journey towards a successful Olympic Games," Mr Bach told the meeting on Tuesday. "Brisbane 2032 (is) an event where I'm sure ... will inspire the world and set a new benchmark for a new era of Olympic Games."
