Backlash over a shock 2032 Brisbane rowing announcement has sparked fears the event will be held in Sydney due to flooding concerns.
Critics also warned an "arrogant" Queensland government its surprise confirmation of the crocodile-inhabited Fitzroy River as 2032 rowing host was not over the line just yet.
Premier David Crisafulli on Thursday triumphantly told parliament the Rockhampton site was locked in as the Olympic venue after passing an independent technical assessment "with flying colours".
His claim reportedly blindsided the International Olympic Committee along with world rowing officials, prompting 2032 bosses to hit the phones and ease concerns.
It also left a rowing community seething after they had pushed hard for the 2032 event to be relocated due to fairness, suitability and legacy concerns.
The state government had been under pressure to reconsider the central Queensland site since pitching it in March 2025, prompting debate over the crocodile threat.
However, Queensland rowing community spokesman Gary Merritt claimed the flooding risk was the venue's major issue and predicted the event would be relocated interstate.
"It won't be in Rockhampton simply because they are going to realise the risk of the course being washed away is far too great," the QRowunion chairman told AAP.
"My prediction is in the next few years the government and IOC will realise the risk of having the event there.
"It will go to Sydney and in the end Queensland will get no rowing legacy whatsoever out of the Olympics."
A Games venue review in early 2025 recommended rowing be held at the Sydney 2000 venue in Penrith, a suggestion rejected by the state government.
The biggest rowing event on the Fitzroy River in 2026 is the Queensland Schools Regatta to be held from Saturday, attracting about 700 kids.
It was supposed to host it in 2024, but the event was cancelled due to flooding.
Mr Merritt had organised an open letter to the state government signed by 542 rowers, including Olympic gold medallist Drew Ginn, asking for 2032 rowing to be held in the state's southeast.
An alternative venue had been promoted at Moreton Bay, north of Brisbane.
Pressure mounted on the government after federation bosses told 2032 organisers at a recent World Rowing meeting their athletes were worried about the venue's fairness, referring to the river's current and layout.
Mr Crisafulli dismissed the critics as bullying "elites" who did not want an Olympic event in a regional area.
"They have been arrogant. Their attacks directed at critics have been terrible," Mr Merritt said of the state government.
"They have convinced everyone it is a fait accompli."
The government also came under fire for not releasing the technical assessment report that led to the river's 2032 endorsement by world authorities on Thursday.
Mr Merritt believed the venue was not locked in, with the independent Games authority still finalising a project validation report looking at its design, value for money and legacy.
The report is expected to be sent to the state and federal governments for approval.
Oarsome Foursome champion Ginn said he had "fairness and integrity" concerns about the regional river - and then there's the crocodiles.
"Personally, I'm not fearful of the Australian animals but I've never had a crocodile near me - I'm sure I'd row faster," he told BBC Sport.
"That's on the list of concerns."
Crocodile procedures feature in the Queensland Schools Regatta's safety management plan.
Sightings are signalled with a "crocodile, crocodile, crocodile" call and contingencies include suspending racing and competitors returning to the bank.
Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg was in Rockhampton on Friday ahead of the school regatta, reiterating the site had been "locked in" for 2032, playing down crocodile concerns.
"If it is good enough for kids ... it is good enough for those Olympic athletes," he said.
