"We have treated the competition as a high-intensity training," Wu Jining, coach of Chinese team, told Xinhua on Monday.

The team from China (front) warm up before their rowing competition at the 15th Asian Games in Doha December 4, 2006. [Reuters]

Doha was scarce of water, which almost forced the Asian Games organizers cancel rowing and canoeing from the program. The two sports survived at last but the distance had to be shortened from standard 2000 meters to 1000m, and rowers had to face windy conditions.

The wind speed even surpass 13 meters per second and the waves were choppy on Sunday, usually now race will be held under such weather conditions.

"The jury panel decided that the competition should not be postponed, considering the whole schedule." said Wu.

China's rowing team has dominated the Asian Games since the sport was included in the Games in 1982 by grabbing 34 out of 37 gold medals in men's events and all 25 golds in women's.

"Things have changed but our goal remains unchanged," Wu added, "Of course we will try to seize as many golds as we can."