Qld premier takes aim at 'overseas elites' amid questions over Olympic course

What it is about

Who published it, and when

How it spread - 21 original reports, 5 reprints

1. Tue, 8 September 2026

   1 report
   • ABC News (Australia)06:46first to report
     Qld premier takes aim at 'overseas elites' amid questions over Olympic course

     The Fitzroy River location has been subject to debate since last year, and international rowing leaders last week questioned Rockhampton's suitability to host the sport for the Olympic Games.

2. Thu, 10 September 2026

   1 report
   • ABC News (Australia)02:17
     Premier says Olympic rowing concerns 'last hurrah' of 'naysayers'

     Queensland's premier dismisses concerns raised about Rockhampton's ability to accommodate Olympic rowing events as the "last hurrah" of people trying to discredit the event.

3. Thu, 17 September 2026

   11 reports
   • ABC News (Australia)00:09
     Olympic authorities sign off on controversial rowing and canoeing venue

     The Fitzroy River in Rockhampton will host the events despite concerns over its current, length and crocodile inhabitants.

   • Japan Times02:34
     Crocodile-ridden Rockhampton river venue cleared to host Brisbane 2032 rowing

     Queensland Premier David Crisafulli told the state parliament on Thursday that the waterway had been cleared "with flying colors".

   • Der Spiegel (Germany)08:36
     Olympia 2032: Krokodilfluss Fitzroy River wird Ruderstrecke in Brisbane

     Der Fitzroy River in Australien gilt als Lebensraum zahlreicher Salzwasserkrokodile – und wird 2032 auch olympische Ruderer beherbergen. Das ergab eine unabhängige Prüfung, bei der es allerdings nicht um die Reptilien ging.

   • Libération (France)09:01
     JO 2032 à Brisbane : les épreuves de canoë et d’aviron auront lieu sur un fleuve hébergeant plusieurs crocodiles mangeurs d’hommes

     Le fleuve Fitzroy est le deuxième fleuve le plus étendu d’Australie et abrite des crocodiles marins, une espèce réputée être anthropophage. Une situation qui n’a pas l’air d’inquiéter les organisateurs des JO 2032.

   • BBC News World09:03
     River home to 500 crocodiles chosen as Olympic rowing venue

     A river that is home to about 500 saltwater crocodiles is given the OK to host Olympic and Paralympic rowing and canoeing events at the 2032 Brisbane Games.

   • Index.hr (Croatia)09:50
     Olimpijske igre održat će se na rijeci u kojoj je 500 krokodila dugih i do 6 metara

     RIJEKA Fitzroy u Queenslandu, dom 500 morskih krokodila, odobrena je kao borilište za veslanje i kajak na OI u Brisbaneu 2032.

   • Telegram.hr (Croatia)11:04
     Kontroverzna odluka: Olimpijci će se natjecati u rijeci punoj krokodila

     Rijeka Fitzroy bit će jedna od poprišta OI u Brisbaneu 2032.

   • Vecernji list (Croatia)11:18
     Olimpijske igre održat će se na rijeci u kojoj su krokodili dugi gotovo pet metara

     Smještena u Rockhamptonu, oko 600 km sjeverno od Brisbanea, ta dionica rijeke kontroverzan je izbor. Osim prisutnosti morskih krokodila – poznatih po tome što napadaju ljude – postojala je zabrinutost u vezi s tehničkim uvjetima i sportskom pravednošću.

   • 24sata (Croatia)11:19
     I do toga je došlo. Utrke u veslanju na Olimpijskim igrama bit će na rijeci punoj krokodila

     Rijeka Fitzroy, stanište krokodila koji napadaju ljude, u četvrtak je službeno odabrana kao mjesto održavanja natjecanja u veslanju

     2 reprints

     • tportal (Croatia)17 Sept, 12:55their copy
     • Slobodna Dalmacija (Croatia)17 Sept, 16:06their copy
   • BBC News World19:35
     This Olympic river has 500 crocodiles in it - but that's not the main concern

     Queensland's Fitzroy River has been selected for the 2032 Games, despite concerns over the course - and its inhabitants.

   • iRozhlas (Czechia)20:21
     ‚V oceánu jsou žraloci, a stejně surfujeme.‘ Veslaři na olympiádě v Austrálii zabojují na řece s krokodýly

     Veslaři a kanoisté se na olympiádě a paralympiádě v roce 2032 utkají na vodním toku, kde žije asi 500 krokodýlů mořských. Světové federace vodních sportů schválily technické parametry řeky Fitzroy asi 700 km od australského města Brisbane, které bude 35. letní olympijské hry hostit. „Určitě budu veslovat rychleji, všichni sportovci budou veslovat rychleji,“ řekl britské BBC australský medailista Drew Ginn.

4. Fri, 18 September 2026

   3 reports
   • Japan Times04:26
     Champion oarsman says Brisbane 2032 rowing risks becoming country regatta

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

   • Vecernji list (Croatia)16:24
     Olimpijci će veslati rijekom u kojoj živi oko 500 krokodila: No stručnjake više brine nešto drugo

     Fitzroy je plimna rijeka s prirodnim zavojima i strujama, zbog čega dio veslačke zajednice smatra da nije idealna za natjecanje na najvišoj razini

   • ABC News (Australia)21:15
     Olympic rowing is heading to Rockhampton, but are crocodiles a threat?

     Plans to host Olympic rowing in Rockhampton for the 2032 Brisbane Games are pushing ahead despite months of fierce debate over the Fitzroy River's suitability.

5. Sat, 19 September 2026

   2 reports
   • Il Fatto Quotidiano (Italy)14:34
     Le gare di canottaggio nel fiume infestato dai coccodrilli marini: panico e polemiche in vista delle Olimpiadi di Brisbane. Il primo test? Lo fanno gli studenti

     Ogni Olimpiade ha il suo fiume simbolo. La Senna preoccupava (e non poco) per le acque inquinate. Il Fitzroy – scelto per le gare di canottaggio e canoa-kayak alle Olimpiadi di Brisbane 2032 – è la casa di 500 coccodrilli marini, tra i più temuti dell’Australia. Nonostante le preoccupazioni, gli organizzatori non si sono tirati […] L'articolo Le gare di canottaggio nel fiume infestato dai coccodrilli marini: panico e polemiche in vista delle Olimpiadi di Brisbane. Il primo test? Lo fanno gli...

   • ABC News (Australia)20:55
     Olympic contenders put rowing course to the test in state regatta

     As hundreds of young rowers hit the Fitzroy River in a school regatta, the Olympic dream is already starting to feel real in Rockhampton.

6. Sun, 20 September 2026

   1 report
   • southcoastregister.com.au06:19
     Nation's 'best bathtub' locked in for Olympic rowers

     Concerns about floods, currents and crocs will not stop a state government from sending the world's best rowers...

     3 reprints

     • queanbeyanage.com.au20 Sept, 06:19their copy
     • katherinetimes.com.au20 Sept, 06:19their copy
     • portstephensexaminer.com.au20 Sept, 06:19their copy
7. Mon, 21 September 2026

   1 report
   • France Info (France)04:00
     "On est un sport d'extérieur, on croise de la flore, c'est assez commun" : l'aviron français confiant sur le choix du fleuve à crocodiles pour les Jeux de Brisbane en 2032

     Pour l'heure, les équipes de France se concentrent sur les Jeux de Los Angeles dans deux ans, et font confiance aux organisateurs australiens pour Brisbane en 2032.

8. Tue, 22 September 2026

   1 report
   • ABC News (Australia)04:32
     Qld ministers unable to confirm if they have read Olympic rowing report

     The technical assessment, conducted by the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) and marine engineering firm WaterProof, has also not been released publicly.