Rowers at the Paris Olympics must contend with all kinds of weather, from relentless rainstorms to sweltering heat, to win Olympic gold.
Despite the rain, the athletes continued to fight. It started out as a drizzle, then turned into a downpour.
After finishing third in the women's single sculls, Irish rower Zoe Hyde said: “We've been training in hot weather for the last two weeks so it's a bit unusual. But it's Irish weather so we very happy.
Families of spectators at the Stade Nautical in Varèse-sur-Marne were less than happy with the weather.
Last night, they complained about the raincoats. Hyde smiled.
To the delight of the rowers, despite the rain, there was almost no wind.
The 27-year-old added: “I think wind is a major factor in rowing so we were lucky today because it was calm.”
It's fine whether it's sunny or rainy.
Hyde and Birkin were up early on Saturday but did not attend Friday's opening ceremony, which was soaked by heavy rain. However, they are keeping a close eye on the weather forecast for Tuesday's semifinals and a possible Olympic final on Thursday.
“Yes, I think it should get to 33 degrees,” Hyde said. “Some people are saying that, so yes, there will be some changes from today and the 16 to 18 degrees we had before.” (Ken Fee Reporting and editing by Rees, Philip O'Connor)
