Rain in Beijing stops some outdoor sports, not others

BEIJING -- It a rainy time of year for this capital city, and that lucky 8/8/08 start date has not prevented inclement weather.

Many outdoor events were affected by Thursday's steady and occasionally heavy rain, including rowing, canoeing and kayaking (rescheduled) and the U.S.-Canada softball game, which was halted in the top of the fourth inning with the U.S. trailing 1-0 (It will be completed Friday).

In baseball, the U.S-Netherlands game was called in the bottom of the ninth inning with the Americans leading 7-0. The Dutch protested, but to no avail. The game was deemed official and the U.S. declared the winners.

Yet the rain didn't stop skeet shooting, with El Monte's Kim Rhode winning the silver medal despite the wetness. West Hollywood's Khatuna Lorig wasn't so lucky, however, in archery. She was eliminated in the quarterfinals. Beach volleyball kept going too.

The sailing events, however, which are being held on the coast of Shangdong province, were postponed -- but because of a lack of wind.

-- Debbie Goffa

Photo: Spectators at the men's C2 canoe slalom final in Beijing before the competition was postponed. Credit: Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press