Champion oarsman says Brisbane 2032 rowing risks becoming country regatta

Sept 18 : Prominent Australian rowing figures have criticised the approval of Rockhampton's crocodile-inhabited Fitzroy River as the venue for the sport at the Brisbane Olympics, arguing the course will require extensive investment and leave little lasting legacy.

Worries about the venue initially focused on the 500 crocodiles that live in and around the river but there are also concerns about the impact of river current on the fairness of competition and the lack of accommodation in the city of 80,000.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli, however, announced in state parliament on Thursday that an independent technical review had found the course capable of hosting fair rowing and canoeing competitions in 2032.      

Experienced coaches and former elite rowers remain unconvinced that a venue some 600 km north of the host city is the best option.

"Without a massive infrastructure spend, it's just going to be like a country regatta with Olympic athletes," former world championship medallist Andrew Butler, who has coached rowing for 17 years, including on the Fitzroy River, told Reuters.  

"Why are you taking it 700 km away from a multi-sport event when it's obviously not to a better venue?"

Three-times Olympic champion Drew Ginn said he had concerns that water depth, river characteristics and the potential for flooding could all impact the competition.

"I row on a river in Melbourne. I love rowing on it, love training on it, but I'd never want to compete at the Olympic Games on it," he told Reuters.

"If you have flowing and moving water, that is completely unfair. One lane over another lane can be dramatically different.

"Imagine if (a flood) happens the week of the competition. Races get cancelled or the venue has to be moved.

"The