NSW bushfires: Penrith, Canberra rowers, Raiders, Brumbies relocate to escape poor air quality
Rowers, rugby players and the Canberra Raiders are the latest athletes hitting the road to escape poor air quality at their training bases.
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Rowing Australia has taken the unprecedented step of relocating 50 of its top male and female athletes from Penrith and Canberra to Tasmania due to the ongoing bushfire crisis and subsequent poor air quality.
Rowers are currently in training for crucial selection regattas from next month to determine the paddlers heading overseas for a series of international events in the lead-up to the Tokyo Olympics.
The move follows on from the Brumbies relocating their training base from Canberra to Newcastle ahead of the start of Super Rugby.
The Canberra Raiders are also in the process of relocating their NRL squad for 10 days from Thursday to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, to combat the hazardous conditions due to the bushfire smoke in Canberra.
Rowing Australia CEO Ian Robson on Monday told NewsLocal the decision was made to provide rowers and support staff with a safer health environment.
Female athletes from the national training centre at Penrith were relocated on the weekend by plane and ferry to train in Launceston on the Tamar River.
Male athletes from the men’s national training centre in Canberra have been relocated to Lake Barrington.
“Our hearts go out to everyone who is dealing with these extreme circumstances and we know the risk is still real,’’ Robson said of the fire crisis.
The Rowing Australia boss said he hopes athletes will be able to return to their training centres in a fortnight.
“But now they can train with intensity and safely and that's crucial,’’ said Robson who also closed Rowing Australia’s head office in Canberra until further notice due to heavy smoke haze.
“We have a hard booking for two weeks. We will continue to monitor and assess.’’
The men’s squads were unable to train for an extended period in December due to the poor air quality. The women’s squads were also affected.
The cost of the relocation of athletes, staff and boats - the later on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry - has been significant.
“To be candid, it is a significant six figure sum,’’ said Robson, who is in discussion with Sport Australia and the Australian Olympic Committee about potential assistance.