Golden day as China tops medal tally

He said the three medals won in rowing events will help build up Chinese rowers' confidence.

"That boosts their confidence so our team should go on from strength to strength," Redgrave said.

There were also surprises in the track and field events.

Ge Manqi became the first Chinese athlete in the history of the Olympic delegation to enter the Olympic women's 100-meter semifinals.

In Friday's competition, Ge was in the seventh lane of the first group, and made it ranking fourth in 11.20 seconds, only 0.16 seconds away from the group's first place finisher, Teahna Daniels of the United States.