Sun, July 22, 2012
LONDON, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese veteran rower Zhang Xiuyun said Saturday that she is in good form for the coming 2012 London Olympic Games.
The 36-year-old is on her third Olympic quest as she won a silver in women's double sculls at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and a fourth place in women's single sculls at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, which is the best ever result of single sculls in China's Olympic history.
"I just came to London yesterday and I am not used to the conditions yet. But I think after several days I will be used to it," said Zhang, who started her training on Saturday.
Zhang retired after China's National Games in 2009. But she returned one year later in the hope of making the podium in London.
Zhang went back to the world top in 2011 with a silver medal in World Cup III in Lucerne, Switzerland, and fourth place in the world championships in Bled, Slovenia. In 2012, Zhang was crowned in World Cup races in Belgrade of Serbia and Lucerne of Switzerland, beating reigning world champion Mirka Knapkova of Czech Republic with a big margin of more than three seconds.
After the World Cups, she returned to Beijing for a 20-day training in Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park. Then she went to Greece for an intensive training.
"Though I still need time to adjust to the conditions here in Eaton Dorney, I am in good form," added Zhang.
The Olympic rowing regatta is slated from July 28 to Aug. 4.
