Source : ABC NEWS
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.“
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)
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 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.
Game on Rocky
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.”
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 will host the Queensland Schools’ Championship regatta this weekend. (Supplied: Rockhampton Regional Council)
“The Fitzroy River around Rockhampton 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.“
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”.
The Fitzroy River rowing course has faced intense scrutiny since it was selected as a venue for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. (Supplied: Rockhampton Fitzroy Rowing Club)
Rowing Queensland chief executive Anthea O’Loughlin also welcomed the outcome of the technical assessment, as the Rockhampton venue prepared to host more than 800 young rowers for the Queensland Schools’ Championship Regatta this weekend.
“This is an important step to provide certainty to our athletes and community as we progress towards 2032,” Ms O’Loughlin said.
“We note the references in the statement to legacy and investment in the sport and look forward to further information on this as it develops.”
Sarah Black says the Olympics will bring a great legacy. (ABC Capricornia: Katrina Beavan)
President of the Rockhampton Fitzroy Rowing Club, Sarah Black, was ecstatic when the ABC broke the news to her that Rockhampton had been given been given the final seal of approval from the IOC.
“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.
While the river has passed independent technical assessment, the region will require more accommodation to support an influx of athletes and visitors in 2032.
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.
