The world's leading cyclists were due to face steaming conditions and a threat of thunderstorms for the road race on the opening day of competition at the Beijing Olympics Saturday, dpa reported.
Temperatures were to peak at 31 degrees celsius on another humid day, with thunderstorms forecast for the afternoon, making the 245- kilometres race outside Beijing even more demanding for Italy's Paolo Bettini and the other favourites.
The day's other six medal events on a hazy day in the capital were not affected by the conditions as the shooting, fencing, judo and weightlifting competition was decided under a roof.
But rowers, hockey players and others competing in outdoor events also faced a day of sweat.
Sailors in Qingdao had top be content with a light breeze of 2 Beaufort and the dressage part of the eventing team event in Hong Kong got underway under a threat of rain.