‘Back off’: Minister slams NSW bid to poach 2032 Games rowing
A bitter interstate battle has erupted over the 2032 Olympic rowing events, with three cities now locked in a dramatic tug of war for hosting rights.
Olympics Minister Tim Mander has delivered a stinging slapdown to NSW as the southern state manoeuvres to poach the 2032 rowing event from Rockhampton.
Reports emerged on Saturday that the Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith had become a frontrunner to host the Queensland Olympics and Paralympics rowing events because of serious doubts about the suitability of Rocky’s croc-infested Fitzroy River which has been earmarked by the Crisafulli government.
World Rowing president Jean-Christophe Rolland is preparing to inspect the river first-hand after the world championships at the end of this month, and has reportedly called for a raft of statistics including tides data ahead of his visit amid speculation that it will fail the technical assessment.
Tidal flows and fast currents rather than the Fitzroy’s much-publicised croc problem are believed to be the biggest challenge facing Rockhampton’s Olympic rowing aspirations.
Queensland’s Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority recommended rowing be held at Penrith, saying in a March that Rockhampton did not have sufficient space on and off water and suffered from problems including a lack of accommodation for athletes and officials.
Sports NSW CEO Stuart Hodge is talking up Penrith’s prospects, telling Sydney’s Daily Telegraph that the 2000 Olympics venue would be the logical replacement should World Rowing scuttle Rockhampton.
But Mr Mander said NSW should back off.
“The 2032 Delivery Plan was clear that rowing will be held on the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton,” he told the Sunday Mail.
“All venues are assessed by the IOC and the international sporting bodies as is normal practice. While NSW claim they can host rowing, the fact is it’s scheduled for Rockhampton.
“They also claimed they would win the State of Origin this year, which didn’t eventuate either.
“The Crisafulli government is delivering a Games for all of Queensland and no other locations for Olympic and Paralympic rowing are under consideration.”
However, Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate still believes his city is in with a chance of hosting the rowing on the Hinze Dam if Rockhampton is deemed unsuitable.
“If the rowing can safely be held on the Fitzroy River, I am happy to see it go there,” he said.
“I’ve said all along though, the government should make sure there is a Plan B in Queensland and Hinze Dam would be ideal. It’s a spectacular location where rowing regattas have been held in the past and you have all the advantages of being in a major city with accommodation and an international airport etc.”
Cr Tate said he had written to Mr Mander and SEQ Water to stress these points, and believed it would be a travesty if Queensland lost the rowing to Penrith.
“Rowing and paddling combined is the biggest cohort of athletes in the Games and surely we don’t want this traditional Olympic sport and all those officials at Penrith?” he said.
Cr Tate also threw some shade of his own on NSW and its cheeky rowing bid.
“Last time I was in Penrith in winter it was very cold and rowing is a summer sport,” he said.
“It just makes no sense not to have a back-up ready to go if Rockhampton is deemed unfit for Olympic rowing.”
