The global heads of rowing and canoeing have made their strongest comments yet about the controversial decision to host Olympic competition on the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton, hitting back at claims the proposed course had been given the “green light”.
Last week, Rockhampton-based LNP Senator Matt Canavan celebrated Rockhampton getting the “green light to go for gold” from the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority.
Canavan, a member of the CQ32 Rowing Legacy Advisory Committee, said the Fitzroy River had passed initial testing by GIICA and there was “no longer any barrier” to hosting rowing in Rockhampton.
Rowing on the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton.Credit: Rockhampton Regional Council
But he may have jumped the gun.
In a joint statement, World Rowing president Jean-Christophe Rolland and International Canoe Federation president Thomas Konietzko said a final sign-off was still a long way off.
“At this stage, World Rowing and ICF have not yet received any information related to the technical studies and feasibility assessments currently in progress,” they said.
“World Rowing and ICF continue to respect and adhere to the evaluation process that was jointly agreed upon by all relevant parties.
Loading
“We remain fully committed to ensuring that any venue selected for Olympic and Paralympic Classic Rowing and Canoeing meets the technical standards required for fair and safe competition.”
Despite Canavan’s optimism, this masthead understands GIICA will not be in a position to fully assess Rockhampton’s suitability until next year at the earliest.
And regardless of GIICA’s assessment – and the Crisafulli government’s insistence – it would ultimately be the governing bodies’ call whether events would be held on the Fitzroy.
