Two Chinese crewwomen carried their boat on their shoulders as they left the waters of the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon in the south zone of Rio de Janeiro city.

On their way, they had to avoid a team of eight Australians who were preparing to enter the pier of the Rowing Stadium, where the Olympic rowing competitions will take place as of Saturday, August 6.

During all Sunday morning, July 31, the routine was the same: boats with athletes of at least 12 nationalities cut across the waters in the 2,000-meter racing lanes in the lagoon.

Fans who have tickets to watch the competitions will have an exceptional view of the lanes form the grandstands. But the public in general will be able to watch the competitions from the bicycle lanes around the entire lagoon as the athletes participate in 14 rowing competitions - a traditional sport in Rio.

The proximity to the city pleased the athletes interviewed by the Folha news team.

"It is nice to be able to see the fans, the contrast between the mountains and the buildings as well as the cars driving by while you are rowing to the starting position. But, when we are on the racing lanes, we are completely concentrated," says German crewman Philip Wende, 31, who won the gold medal in the London Olympics in four skiff - four crewmen with two oars each.

Wende says that he is excited about competing so close to the Christ the Redeemer statue, although it was hidden behind clouds this Sunday morning.

The venue's location is only a disadvantage when it comes to its distance from the Athletes' Village, as the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon is 27.9 kilometers from the Olympic Park.

Translated by THOMAS MUELLO

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