Olympics-Rowing-Rowers set for weather change after rain-hit opening in Paris

PARIS - Rowers at the Paris Games are prepared to battle the elements from relentless rain to blistering heat in the quest for Olympic gold, which began on Saturday in less than ideal conditions.

Starting with a misty rain and progressing to a drizzle before a real downpour at the end of the session, the athletes battled on with good grace and one eye on the weather forecast.

"We've actually been on training camp for the last couple of weeks in really hot conditions so this is kind of unusual, but it's pure Irish weather, so we're happy out," Irish rower Zoe Hyde told Reuters after her third-place finish with Alison Bergin in the women's double sculls heats.

Perhaps less content with the weather were their families, who were watching from the uncovered stands at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium on Saturday.

"They were giving out (complaining) last night about having to bring raincoats and all that!" Hyde said laughing.

Despite the rain, the rowers were all pleased to see that the wind had had a negligible effect so far at the event.

"I think the wind plays a big part in when we row, so today, we were actually quite lucky because it was quite flat," the 27-year-old added.

"Paris is kind of notorious for blowing up, so it was quite unusual that it was flat, but rain or shine, it's fine."

With an early start on Saturday, neither Hyde nor Bergin took part in the rain-soaked opening ceremony on Friday, but they have been keeping an eye on the forecast ahead of their semi-final on Tuesday and a possible Olympic final on Thursday.

"Yeah, I think it's supposed to jump up to 33 degrees, someone was saying, so yeah, it'll be a bit of a change from today anyway, and the 16 or 18 degrees we've had," Hyde said.