Chinadaily.com.cn's senior editor Marc Checkley talks with China Daily reporter Justin Cui in Beijing's Shunyi District about China's chances in the much-anticipated rowing events today.
Chinese rowers are gearing up for taking medals at the Beijing Olympics as seven rowing golds are up for grab on Saturday.
The finals on Saturday are women's single sculls, men's single sculls, women's pair, men's pair, women's double sculls, men's double sculls and men's four.
The world rankings show that most of the seven boat classes are still predominantly ruled by European elites, but Asian rowers can also see their prospect of beating their arch rivals.
The first final on Saturday is women's single sculls. Ekaterina Karsten from Belarus, Michelle Guerette from the United States and the Czech rower Miroslava Knapkova as well as Chinese Zhang Xiuyun are widely considered favorites for the event.
China's Zhang Xiuyun powers in the women's single sculls semin finals at the Shunyi Rowing and Canoeing Park during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on August 13, 2008.[Agencies]
The 36-year-old Ekaterina, who has taken two Olympic and five World Championship gold medals back home, is most capable of winning the race. The five-time World Champion has been undefeated in World Cup singles racing since 2005.
Of course, the Chinese rower is also in her best shape and may row for a medal in front of a capacity crowd on her home course. She won her heat and semifinal this week and is in good form.
In the women's doubles, Chinese rowers Li Qin and Tian Liang, as well as the New Zealand Swindell twin sisters catch the most spotlight. The Chinese audience pin their hopes on Li/Tian since they won the 2007 World Championship in Munich, Germany, and two World Cup contests this year.
"We pin much hope on the duo," Director of Chinese Water Sports Center Wei Di told Xinhua in a pre-Olympics interview.
