Rowing competitions at the Beijing Olympic Games kicked off on Saturday afternoon in Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park.

The women's single sculls (W1x) was the first event in the competitions. Chinese rower Zhang Xiuyun was in the first heat. Other rowers in the same heat included Maria Cabriela (Argentina), Julia Michalska (Pland), Sophie Balmary (France) and Soraya Jadue (Chile).

The rowing competitions, lasting from August 9 to 17, include contests in 14 boat classes. The finals will be held from August 16 to 17. Over 500 athletes from 60 nations and regions will participate in the rowing competitions.

Zhang finished the event with a result of 7:38.16, followed by the Polish rower with a result of 7:41.16 and the French athlete with a result of 7:47.37.

"It's hot and humid today. The wind was favorable for me. In the latter half of the race, I made some adjustment. I hope to show the best of me during the competition," Zhang told Xinhua in the mixed zone after the first heat.

The world best time for the event was made by Bulgarian rower Rumyana Neykova in Seville of Spain in 2002 with a result of 7:07.71.

Zhang Xiuyun, born in Hubei Province in February 1976, started rowing at the age of 14. She secured the silver medal in women's double sculls at Atlanta Olympics in 1996. In the following years, she switched to single sculls and won the silver medal at the World Cup in Amsterdam in 2007.

Xinhua News Agency August 9, 2008)