Chinese rower Zhang Liang did not appear in the heat race of men's single sculls in Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park on Saturday and therefore was thus disqualified.

"The CHN M1x Liang Zhang did not start in his heat and will not progress further in the event," an 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 is speculation on the venue that he gave up the race to save strength for a men's double sculls race later in the day. However, no Chinese official could not reached up to now for comment and confirmation.

(Xinhua News Agency August 9, 2008)