LONDON – In the world of sports, fans relish the heated rivalry — sometimes live for it. Yankees-Red Sox. Cowboys-Redskins. Canadiens-Bruins. Lakers-Celtics.
But USA-China?
Americans who remember the USA-Soviet Olympic battles during the Cold War might shrug at the emerging threat on the athletic stage, but over the dozen years — heating up in 2008 in Beijing and gaining strength this summer in London — Chinese athletes have become the greatest challenge to American dominance.
Indeed, on Thursday night, as the sun set over Olympic Park, the medals race was on between the United States and China.
At the Aquatics Centre, China's dominant diving team was making a splash. Just across the park, the USA's star-spangled track team was making its own statement of superiority. Two Olympic superpowers, flexing before the global crowd.
But USA-China?
Americans who remember the USA-Soviet Olympic battles during the Cold War might shrug at the emerging threat on the athletic stage, but over the dozen years — heating up in 2008 in Beijing and gaining strength this summer in London — Chinese athletes have become the greatest challenge to American dominance.
Indeed, on Thursday night, as the sun set over Olympic Park, the medals race was on between the United States and China.
At the Aquatics Centre, China's dominant diving team was making a splash. Just across the park, the USA's star-spangled track team was making its own statement of superiority. Two Olympic superpowers, flexing before the global crowd.