A river in Australia, home to more than 500 crocodiles, will host Olympic and Paralympic rowing and canoeing events at the 2032 Brisbane Games. The Fitzroy River in Queensland, Australia, was given the green signal by World Rowing and Paddle Australia on Thursday (Sep 17) after it "passed with flying colours" following an assessment of its suitability. Olympic authorities also confirmed that they had approved the river course. Queensland’s premier, David Crisafulli, said, "It’s official, signed, sealed and delivered."&nbsp;World Rowing and Paddle Worldwide said that they were fully behind the independent technical assessment of the regional flat-water course. Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) carried out tests in the water body which were reviewed by the other organisations. A GIICA statement read that the river can “provide a safe, fair and consistent field of play suitable for rowing, Para rowing, canoe sprint and Para canoe events.”<h2>Assessment was not done for crocodiles</h2>Interestingly, reports suggest that the assessment did not consider crocodiles as the problem. The tests checked "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 Games".&nbsp;GIICA noted that the Fitzroy River Flatwater Facility "is already a training and competition venue for flatwater sports, supporting school state championships, local regattas, and national team training camps". This means contingency plans for when crocodiles are spotted are already in place, and rower safety has also been assured.&nbsp;<h2>Queensland river is a protected crocodile habitat</h2>The Fitzroy River is a crocodile habitat, according to the Rockhampton Regional Council. But the bigger concern was the river's strong currents, which raised fears it may not meet World Rowing regatta standards.&nbsp;Tim Mander, Minister for Olympic and Paralympic Games, said in the government announcement, "Rockhampton has earned its place on the world stage, and the endorsement today means we’re one step closer to seeing the best rowers in the world race on the mighty Fitzroy River."&nbsp;The river was first pitched to host the rowing event in March 2025. The Queensland government had been under pressure to reconsider the site. The reptiles in the river are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, meaning it is an offence “to kill, injure or take crocodiles from the wild without appropriate permits.”&nbsp;Reacting to the news, Australian gold medalist rower Drew Ginn told the BBC, "I’m sure I’d row faster; I’m sure all the athletes would row faster. That’s on the list of concerns; I don’t think it’s the highest priority in concerns, but it was certainly cited very early on." &nbsp;

The Fitzroy River in Queensland, Australia, houses more than 500 crocodiles that are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. Officials assessed the river for suitability for Olympic rowing events, but the crocodiles were not their primary concern.

A river in Australia, home to more than 500 crocodiles, will host Olympic and Paralympic rowing and canoeing events at the 2032 Brisbane Games. The Fitzroy River in Queensland, Australia, was given the green signal by World Rowing and Paddle Australia on Thursday (Sep 17) after it "passed with flying colours" following an assessment of its suitability. Olympic authorities also confirmed that they had approved the river course. Queensland’s premier, David Crisafulli, said, "It’s official, signed, sealed and delivered." World Rowing and Paddle Worldwide said that they were fully behind the independent technical assessment of the regional flat-water course. Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) carried out tests in the water body which were reviewed by the other organisations. A GIICA statement read that the river can “provide a safe, fair and consistent field of play suitable for rowing, Para rowing, canoe sprint and Para canoe events.” Assessment was not done for crocodiles Interestingly, reports suggest that the assessment did not consider crocodiles as the problem. The tests checked "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 Games". GIICA noted that the Fitzroy River Flatwater Facility "is already a training and competition venue for flatwater sports, supporting school state championships, local regattas, and national team training camps". This means contingency plans for when crocodiles are spotted are already in place, and rower safety has also been assured. Queensland river is a protected crocodile habitat The Fitzroy River is a crocodile habitat, according to the Rockhampton Regional Council. But the bigger concern was the river's strong currents, which raised fears it may not meet World Rowing regatta standards. Tim Mander, Minister for Olympic and Paralympic Games, said in the government announcement, "Rockhampton has earned its place on the world stage, and the endorsement today means we’re one step closer to seeing the best rowers in the world race on the mighty Fitzroy River." The river was first pitched to host the rowing event in March 2025. The Queensland government had been under pressure to reconsider the site. The reptiles in the river are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, meaning it is an offence “to kill, injure or take crocodiles from the wild without appropriate permits.” Reacting to the news, Australian gold medalist rower Drew Ginn told the BBC, "I’m sure I’d row faster; I’m sure all the athletes would row faster. That’s on the list of concerns; I don’t think it’s the highest priority in concerns, but it was certainly cited very early on."

The Fitzroy River in Queensland, Australia, houses more than 500 crocodiles that are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. Officials assessed the river for suitability for Olympic rowing events, but the crocodiles were not their primary concern.

How did an Australian river with 500 crocodiles pass the Olympic test? Here's how

Organisers of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics have unveiled the Games' official motto: "Believe. Belong. Become".The Queensland state capital was awarded the Olympics and Paralympics in July 2021, returning the Games to Australia for a third time after Melbourne 1956 and Sydney 2000.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-iran-representatives-to-attend-2026-fifa-world-cup-draw-in-apparent-u-turn-1764781634041">Iran representatives to attend 2026 FIFA World Cup draw in apparent U-turn</a>The slogan culminated a process that involved more than 6,000 Australians having their say.Andrew Liveris, head of the 2032 organising committee, said it underpinned the core beliefs of what the Games would represent."When our time arrives on the world stage our local belief, grit and spirit will shine through, our sense of belonging will be celebrated and shared," he said."And we will rise to become an even greater city, state and nation to visit, invest in and be part of, thanks to the gift of the Games.""Believe" represented the power of sport and the Australian spirit, he said, while "Belong" was Brisbane's vision in which everyone was welcome at the Games."Become" was the opportunity for Brisbane, Queensland and Australia to harness the Olympics and move into a new era.The Olympics are scheduled to take place from July 23 to August 8 in 2032, followed by the Paralympics on August 24-September 5.The 2028 Summer Olympics are in Los Angeles.

The Olympics are scheduled to take place from July 23 to August 8 in 2032, followed by the Paralympics on August 24-September 5. The 2028 Summer Olympics are in Los Angeles.

Organisers of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics have unveiled the Games' official motto: "Believe. Belong. Become". The Queensland state capital was awarded the Olympics and Paralympics in July 2021, returning the Games to Australia for a third time after Melbourne 1956 and Sydney 2000. Also Read - Iran representatives to attend 2026 FIFA World Cup draw in apparent U-turn The slogan culminated a process that involved more than 6,000 Australians having their say. Andrew Liveris, head of the 2032 organising committee, said it underpinned the core beliefs of what the Games would represent. "When our time arrives on the world stage our local belief, grit and spirit will shine through, our sense of belonging will be celebrated and shared," he said. "And we will rise to become an even greater city, state and nation to visit, invest in and be part of, thanks to the gift of the Games." "Believe" represented the power of sport and the Australian spirit, he said, while "Belong" was Brisbane's vision in which everyone was welcome at the Games. "Become" was the opportunity for Brisbane, Queensland and Australia to harness the Olympics and move into a new era. The Olympics are scheduled to take place from July 23 to August 8 in 2032, followed by the Paralympics on August 24-September 5. The 2028 Summer Olympics are in Los Angeles.

The Olympics are scheduled to take place from July 23 to August 8 in 2032, followed by the Paralympics on August 24-September 5. The 2028 Summer Olympics are in Los Angeles.

Believe. Belong. Become is the official slogan of 2032 Brisbane Olympics

South Korean capital Seoul said on Thursday it has sent a proposal for co-hosting the 2032 Olympics with the North`s Pyongyang to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in a bid to keep its hopes alive despite Brisbane being the front-runner. 
 
The IOC has already picked the Australian city as the preferred partner for hosting the Games. 
 
South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un agreed to pursue the joint Olympics bid at their summit in Pyongyang in late 2018. 
 
But relations have soured since a summit between Kim and then US&nbsp;President Donald Trump in 2019 failed to reach agreement on North Korea`s denuclearisation, in which Moon had offered to play a mediating role. 
 
Seoul city said the host has not been finalised and it submitted the proposal with a vision titled "Beyond the Line, Toward the Future." 
 
"The city government conveyed its legitimacy and need to co-host the Olympics, stressing that it will realise the IOC`s vision of world peace through sports," it said in a statement. 
 
When asked about whether the idea was shared with Pyongyang, a city official told Reuters the proposal was the result of intra-agency meetings and the Unification Ministry in charge of inter-Korean affairs would seek discussions with the North. 
 
A Unification Ministry official said the proposal was a move by the city to highlight the significance of the two Koreas in hosting the event. 
 
The Moon administration is seeking to build on the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics it hosted in 2018, during which athletes from both Koreas marched under a unified flag at the opening ceremony and fielded a combined women`s ice hockey team. 
 
South Korea has expressed hopes of reviving the momentum for ties at this year`s Tokyo Olympics. But Pyongyang has been deriding Moon in recent weeks, dismissing the possibility of a restart of talks.

South Korean capital Seoul said on Thursday it has sent a proposal for co-hosting the 2032 Olympics with the North`s Pyongyang to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in a bid to keep its hopes alive despite Brisbane being the front-runner.

South Korean capital Seoul said on Thursday it has sent a proposal for co-hosting the 2032 Olympics with the North`s Pyongyang to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in a bid to keep its hopes alive despite Brisbane being the front-runner. The IOC has already picked the Australian city as the preferred partner for hosting the Games. South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un agreed to pursue the joint Olympics bid at their summit in Pyongyang in late 2018. But relations have soured since a summit between Kim and then US President Donald Trump in 2019 failed to reach agreement on North Korea`s denuclearisation, in which Moon had offered to play a mediating role. Seoul city said the host has not been finalised and it submitted the proposal with a vision titled "Beyond the Line, Toward the Future." "The city government conveyed its legitimacy and need to co-host the Olympics, stressing that it will realise the IOC`s vision of world peace through sports," it said in a statement. When asked about whether the idea was shared with Pyongyang, a city official told Reuters the proposal was the result of intra-agency meetings and the Unification Ministry in charge of inter-Korean affairs would seek discussions with the North. A Unification Ministry official said the proposal was a move by the city to highlight the significance of the two Koreas in hosting the event. The Moon administration is seeking to build on the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics it hosted in 2018, during which athletes from both Koreas marched under a unified flag at the opening ceremony and fielded a combined women`s ice hockey team. South Korea has expressed hopes of reviving the momentum for ties at this year`s Tokyo Olympics. But Pyongyang has been deriding Moon in recent weeks, dismissing the possibility of a restart of talks.

Seoul sends bid for co-hosting 2032 Olympics with North Korea despite frosty ties

Qatar will seek to host the 2032 Olympic Games, it said on Monday, joining a crowded field and raising questions about scorching summer temperatures and underwhelming attendances at past events.

India, Australia's Queensland state, the Chinese city of Shanghai and a potential joint bid between South and North Korea are also being touted for the 2032 summer games.

Under changes put forward in 2014, interested countries submit a request to join the non-committal "continuous dialogue", which Qatar confirmed to AFP it had done via a letter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne.

"Today's announcement marks the beginning of a meaningful dialogue with the IOC's Future Host Commission to explore our interest further and identify how the Olympic Games can support Qatar's long-term development goals," Qatar Olympic Committee president Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani told AFP in a statement.

Qatar unsuccessfully bid to host the 2016 and 2020 games, having proposed to host the former in October without first clearing it with the IOC.&nbsp;

It won a waiver to propose hosting the 2020 games, a joint bid with Baku, Azerbaijan, between September 20 and October 20, but failed to make the shortlist.

The 2020 games, postponed to 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic, were awarded to Japan, which also experiences searing summer temperatures, leading officials to schedule events early in the morning when conditions are coolest.

"Qatar has earned the reputation of a world-class destination for major sporting events," added Sheikh Joaan, brother of Qatar's ruler Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

"It is this proven track-record and wealth of experience, along with our desire to use sport to promote peace and cultural exchange, that will form the basis of our discussions with the Commission."

Summer temperatures can reach 50 degrees celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) in the nation which abuts the Arabian desert. Heat and humidity were major issues during the road races at last year's World Athletics Championships held in Doha.&nbsp;

The event was shifted to late September and October over concerns about the gas-rich state's climate and marathons and race walks were held at midnight.&nbsp;

Even so, humidity hovered around 73 percent and the temperature was 33 degrees Celsius (91 degrees Fahrenheit) for much of the women's marathon and images of the runners collapsing and gasping for air led to questions over Qatar's suitability to host outdoor events outside the cooler winter months.&nbsp;

<h2>- 'Huge interest' -</h2>

Perhaps the most stinging off-track criticism of the 10-day World Athletics event was sparked by the spectacle of a near-empty stadium during the opening days, raising fears for World Cup attendances in 2022 and at other sporting events.

IAAF President Sebastian Coe said he was more worried about conditions at the Tokyo Olympics, where summer temperatures have pushed organisers to schedule events for the early morning.

Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup after a bid process that has been attacked by some European nations and media outlets as corrupt, although Doha insists it won fairly.&nbsp;

Discriminatory labour practices and human rights issues facing the migrant labourers building infrastructure for 2022 have been subject to intense scrutiny and criticism since Qatar won the bid in 2010.

"We in the International Olympic Committee are happy with the huge interest in the 2032 Summer Olympics, 12 years before the launch of the games. We are in a great position," IOC president Thomas Bach said in an interview with Qatar-based broadcaster BeIN on Friday.&nbsp;

"We made sure that our new approach to this kind of intentions works well. We launched a dialogue between the interested national Olympic committees and a special commission in the IOC. Naturally, we welcome Qatar to join this dialogue."

If Qatar were successful, it would be the first time the event had been held in the Middle East.

Qatar will seek to host the 2032 Olympic Games, it said on Monday, joining a crowded field and raising questions about scorching summer temperatures and underwhelming attendances at past events.

Qatar will seek to host the 2032 Olympic Games, it said on Monday, joining a crowded field and raising questions about scorching summer temperatures and underwhelming attendances at past events. India, Australia's Queensland state, the Chinese city of Shanghai and a potential joint bid between South and North Korea are also being touted for the 2032 summer games. Under changes put forward in 2014, interested countries submit a request to join the non-committal "continuous dialogue", which Qatar confirmed to AFP it had done via a letter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne. "Today's announcement marks the beginning of a meaningful dialogue with the IOC's Future Host Commission to explore our interest further and identify how the Olympic Games can support Qatar's long-term development goals," Qatar Olympic Committee president Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani told AFP in a statement. Qatar unsuccessfully bid to host the 2016 and 2020 games, having proposed to host the former in October without first clearing it with the IOC. It won a waiver to propose hosting the 2020 games, a joint bid with Baku, Azerbaijan, between September 20 and October 20, but failed to make the shortlist. The 2020 games, postponed to 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic, were awarded to Japan, which also experiences searing summer temperatures, leading officials to schedule events early in the morning when conditions are coolest. "Qatar has earned the reputation of a world-class destination for major sporting events," added Sheikh Joaan, brother of Qatar's ruler Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. "It is this proven track-record and wealth of experience, along with our desire to use sport to promote peace and cultural exchange, that will form the basis of our discussions with the Commission." Summer temperatures can reach 50 degrees celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) in the nation which abuts the Arabian desert. Heat and humidity were major issues during the road races at last year's World Athletics Championships held in Doha. The event was shifted to late September and October over concerns about the gas-rich state's climate and marathons and race walks were held at midnight. Even so, humidity hovered around 73 percent and the temperature was 33 degrees Celsius (91 degrees Fahrenheit) for much of the women's marathon and images of the runners collapsing and gasping for air led to questions over Qatar's suitability to host outdoor events outside the cooler winter months. - 'Huge interest' - Perhaps the most stinging off-track criticism of the 10-day World Athletics event was sparked by the spectacle of a near-empty stadium during the opening days, raising fears for World Cup attendances in 2022 and at other sporting events. IAAF President Sebastian Coe said he was more worried about conditions at the Tokyo Olympics, where summer temperatures have pushed organisers to schedule events for the early morning. Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup after a bid process that has been attacked by some European nations and media outlets as corrupt, although Doha insists it won fairly. Discriminatory labour practices and human rights issues facing the migrant labourers building infrastructure for 2022 have been subject to intense scrutiny and criticism since Qatar won the bid in 2010. "We in the International Olympic Committee are happy with the huge interest in the 2032 Summer Olympics, 12 years before the launch of the games. We are in a great position," IOC president Thomas Bach said in an interview with Qatar-based broadcaster BeIN on Friday. "We made sure that our new approach to this kind of intentions works well. We launched a dialogue between the interested national Olympic committees and a special commission in the IOC. Naturally, we welcome Qatar to join this dialogue." If Qatar were successful, it would be the first time the event had been held in the Middle East.

Qatar confirms plan to bid for 2032 Olympics

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How did an Australian river with 500 crocodiles pass the Olympic test? Here's how

Believe. Belong. Become is the official slogan of 2032 Brisbane Olympics

Seoul sends bid for co-hosting 2032 Olympics with North Korea despite frosty ties

Qatar confirms plan to bid for 2032 Olympics