BEIJING, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese rowers were eligible for men's double sculls (M2x) race because Zhang Liang, one of the rowers, did not compete in the heat, according to an official communication issued here Saturday afternoon.

    "The qualification rules for the 2008 Olympic regatta require that the rowers qualifying in a certain event at the three continental Olympic qualification regattas and the final Olympic qualification regatta in Pozan, must participate in that event if they participate at the Olympic Games.

    "CHN M1x Liang Zhang did not compete in the Heat, and under Olympic qualification rules is therefore not eligible to compete in the M2x in which he was also entered," the paper said.

    Zhang Liang did not appear in the heat race of men's single sculls in Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park held earlier on the venue.

    "The CHN M1x Liang Zhang did not start in his heat and will not progress further in the event," a previous official communication said.

    The paper, signed by Roland Sautois, the starter, fell short of saying why Zhang did not appear in the race as expected. There has been no explanation from the Chinese side for Zhang's retreat.