The crew member of the Canada row strokes during Men's Eight Final A of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games rowing event at Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. The Canadian team won the gold medal of the event. [Xinhua Photo]

The Canadian crew in the Olympic rowing event of men's eight took the lead all the way and crossed the finish line first in five minutes 23.89 seconds  at Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park in Beijing on Sunday.

Defending champion the United States won the bronze medal with a result of 5:25.34. The British boat won the silver medal by finishing the race in 5:25.11.

Canada won the 2002, 2003 and 2007 World Championships. But it has never got any medal in World Cup contests over the past three years. The Canadian team won the first Olympic medal in the event in 1904. It also won the Olympic golds in the event in 1984 and 1992.

(Xinhua News Agecncy August 17, 2008)