BEIJING, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Olympic rowing regatta has been postponed due to an approaching thunderstorm at the Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park here on Sunday.

    When the men's quadruple sculls heats finished around 5:20 p.m., it began to rain, which disrupted the competition. There are two events of women's and men's eight left according to the schedule of Sunday.

    It's the second day of the Olympic regatta with heats of seven events on agenda.

    According to the three hourly weather forecast for the venue, a thunderstorm is approaching.

    According to Chen Chunxin, director of rowing regatta organization at the venue, usually for rowing and canoeing regattas, slight rain without thunders won't influence the competition. But when thunders turn up, for the sake of athletes' safety, the competition will be delayed.

    "We usually inform the athletes when thunders are still 20 kilometers away from us," added Chen. "We have meteorologists from the Beijing Meteorology Bureau. They provide timely weather forecast to ensure a safe regatta."

    The working staff members have informed the athletes by means of broadcast or those who are in charge of monitoring the situation on the water.

    According to the weather forcast, between 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., there might be thunder showers, and the organizers announced at around 6 p.m. that the competition is postponed until further notice.