Shunyi course wins top marks from rowers

BEIJING (Reuters) - Rowers training on the new Shunyi Olympic rowing park lavished praise on the venue on Monday, welcoming the close spectator stands they hope will result in a great atmosphere.

The rowing and canoe centre was built especially for the Games and features a three-kilometer rowing lake with a warm-up area, large boating section and 500-metre long spectator stand.

"It's beautiful," said Canada's Cameron Sylvester. "Rowing is not renowned for being a spectator sport, but with the stands being so close, and 500 meters long, it should make for a good atmosphere."

"It is easily 10 degrees hotter and with the humidity it makes it a challenge, but we are slowly getting used to it."

The water was flat on Monday and perfect for racing, but visibility was below 1,000 meters, meaning anyone standing near the finish line could not see half of the course.

The athletes also noted the humidity and heat, with Britain's Olivia Whitlam saying it was like rowing through a steam room, though most crews have trained in similar conditions in recent months to prepare for the Games and the 2005 World Championships were held in Japan in similar conditions.

"The rowing course is fantastic," said Ireland's Richard Archibald. "It's got a great feeling of speed and with the stands so close it should be a great atmosphere.

"We were training in north Italy before we came so we could try to adapt to the conditions."

Athletes, coaches and officials at last year's world junior rowing championships -- an Olympic test event for the course -- were also unanimous in their praise for the rowing lake in the northeast suburb of the Chinese capital.

"It's really impressive, a top course and the best I have ever seen," said France's Pierre-Jean Peltier, who will race in the men's quad sculls.

"I say congratulations to China for this because it's very impressive."

German coach Michael Muller said the water conditions were fair although Briton Phil Rowley, who is coaching Columbia's Rodrigo Ideus, said the wind was variable and could test the athletes over the week.

Racing begins on August 9 and finishes on August 17.

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)