Xiuyun Zhang of China
prepares for the women’s single
sculls semifinal at the 2007
Rowing World Cup in Lucerne,
Switzerland.
And Xiuyun’s environment has not been easy
for the past several months. In and out of
hospital due to back and breathing problems,
she was unable to attend the Silver Skiff in
Turin, Italy, earlier this year.
But De Capua still remains optimistic for her
medal chances in Beijing: “My analysis proves
that her potential for the 2008 Olympic
Games is to win a medal. Xiuyun still has the
possibility to recover the lost time but it is
essential that she completely carries out the
right physiological and technical training
programme that she needs.”
Xiuyun’s philosophy is to take things “one step
at a time” and she hopes those steps will lead
her to the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing
Park this coming August. ■ D.F.
