Rio 2016: Rowing cancelled on day two due to fears of sinking and capsizing as strong winds hit Lagoa Stadium

Racing was delayed for two hours due to extreme conditions before being cancelled for the day

Rowing on day two was cancelled due to fears of sinking and capsizing in high winds (Getty)

The second day of the Rio Olympic Games was delayed after the rowing arena was hit by strong winds, with organisers deciding that the conditions were simply too difficult to compete in due to the threat of boats sinking and cancelling the day's action.

On day one, the Serbian pair of Milos Vasic and Nenad Bedik were running third in their heat and on course for the quarter-finals when thy capsized after hitting a rogue wave caused by the winds coming off the Corcocado mountain that harbours the Christ the Redeemer statue and looks over Rio de Janeiro.

Races proceeded on Saturday without interruption despite the Serbian crew sinking, with former Olympic gold medallists Sir Steve Redgrave and James Cracknell questioning whether the heats should have been postponed.

A spokesman for the International Rowing Federation [Fisa] insisted on Sunday that the decision to continue racing on day one was correct, but added that worsening conditions were taking its toll on today’s programme.

The extend of the winds were clear to see when Team GB’s men’s coxless fours jumped out of the boat and lifted it into the air, with a wave of water pouring out after being blown into the boat during their practice run.

Watch the video below...

The video, captured by 2008 gold and 2012 silver medallist rower Mark Hunter, came shortly before an announcement confirmed that a two-hour delay was in force.

It was later confirmed that a check would be carried out at 10:00 local time [14:00 BST] with racing beginning 30 minutes later. However, this changed at 10:20 local time [14:20 BST] when the decision was taken to cancel the full day's programme, and Fisa confirmed that a new schedule would be released to the media later in the day.