China clinched the gold medal in the Olympic event of women's quadruple sculls with a sold win in Beijing on Sunday, the first rowing gold medal for China in Olympic history.

The Chinese crew finished the 2,000-meter race with a result of 6 minutes 16.06 seconds, some half a length ahead of the second boat. The British and German boats won the silver and bronze medals with results of 6:17.37 and 6:19.56 respectively.

The British boat took the lead in the first 1500 meters. The Chinese crew hastened its stroke rate in the sprint and hit the finish line amidst the deafening applause of audience.

"Our coach told us before the final that we should relieve our pressure and show our normal capability. We rowed in unison and would never give up," Tang Bing said after the race.

On her feelings after winning the gold medal, Tang said: "It's just like a dream."

Germany is very strong in the event because it has claimed all the four Olympic gold medals in the event from 1992 to 2004.

The Olympic best time for the event was created by an British crew at Athens Olympics in 2004 with a result of 6 minutes 15.60 seconds. But the world best time of 6 minutes 10.80 seconds was made by Germans on a home course in Duisburg of Germany in May 1996.

(Xinhua News Agency August 17,2008)