Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio came to the Rio Olympics to try win a cycling medal, but left in tears yesterday after ending 12th in the women's 29.7km individual time trial.

"I can't help but feel a little bit emotional," said the rider, sporting grazes on her left arm and legs after sliding on oil around 10km into the event.

At that stage she was lying third, but afterwards she slipped down the field.

She clocked 46min:29.11sec, more than two minutes slower than winner Kristin Armstrong of the US in 44:26.42.

"Everything that could have gone wrong has gone wrong at the Olympic Games," said Moolman-Pasio, who ended 10th in the road race on Sunday.

A strong wind and light rain hit Rio yesterday morning, forcing organisers to cancel the rowing programme, which included semifinals for four SA crews.

But Moolman-Pasio insisted the conditions had not been an issue for her.

"I'm not usually scared. I mean usually I would make it through clear, [but] I hit some oil in the road and ja, went sliding along the tar."