Shunyi lake scores top marks from all quarters

If organizing an Olympic event was just about getting the venue right, the Beijing 2008 rowing competition could be counted a success already.

Athletes, coaches and officials at last week's world junior rowing championships - the first of 26 Olympic test events taking place this year - were unanimous in their praise for the rowing lake in a northeast suburb of the Chinese capital.

"It's a fantastic venue, the moment I walked through the door I was very impressed with the size and scale of the whole venture," said Robert Treharne Jones of Britain's historic Leander Club, who is commentating on the championships.

"I've seen rowing courses all the way around the world and this is so impressive. All credit to the Chinese for building such a magnificent facility."

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) consider the test events to be among the most important stages of Games' preparations and will be watching the 42 "Good Luck Beijing" test events taking place over the next 12 months very carefully.

"The Olympics is a one-off," IOC president Jacques Rogge told media last week.

"You are not going to rehearse it and you don't get a second chance. We learn a lot from these events and the lessons we learn are going to give perfection later on."

The 1.62-square km facility, the first of the 16 new venues being built for next year's Games to be handed over, may not yet be offering perfection but it was difficult to find anyone who had a complaint.

"I've never seen such a nice rowing area," said German single sculler Tina Manker.

"Amazing!" added South African Morgan Kloes after his double sculls semifinal.

"From day one, everything has worked perfectly," British team leader John Layng said.

"They've taken on board all the advice everyone's been giving to them and been working on it and improving it day by day.

"So I think next year this is going to be absolutely fantastic for the Olympics."

Even Beijing's notorious poor air pollution, one of the main problems for the Beijing Games, has not been a factor on the 2.9 km long lake an hour out of the centre of the city.

"I haven't seen a flaw in the venue yet from a rowing point of view," said Californian Sam Sweitzer, coach of the US men's coxless fours.

"Our athletes took a little time to adjust but that happens anywhere you go. We've not had any complaints from them as far as ailments or anything that would affect their performance."

The Chinese were also finding success on the water, reinforcing their status as a rising power in a sport where they have yet to win Olympic gold.

Chinese teenagers took part in 12 of the 13 events at the championships and claimedsix golds, one silver and one bronze.

"They're using their home advantage, there are tons of fans for them," Sweitzer added. "Their boat speed has been very impressive."

Agencies

(China Daily 08/14/2007 page22)