The heat was oppressive.But as the long thin Chinese rowing boats sliced through the water, the crowd along the riverbank burst into life, cheering and waving and urging the teams on.

• 热气袭人，但当细长的中国划艇开始破浪前进时，沿岸的人群顿时生龙活虎起来，挥着手，欢呼着，为向前挺进的划手们大声打气。