Olympics Domination: USA push China aside to restore medal dominance

Four years ago in Beijing, the Americans, who had previously come first in each Olympics since they boycotted the 1980 Games, were stung when they were knocked off the top of the overall podium by the Chinese. But despite China winning more gold medals than they have ever managed before on foreign soil, London has seen the United States emphatically restore the established order. The aftermath of Shiwen's performances laid bare the old rivalry between the two superpowers. Chinese deputy sports minister, Cai Zhenhua, has reportedly accused judges of discriminating against Chinese athletes. United States team spokesman Patrick Sandusky appeared to play down the importance of the medals table when he said: "The Olympic Games is a competition between athletes, not nations. With that said, we are very proud of our American athletes in London." Steve Roush, former chief of sports performance of the United States Olympic Committee, feels American dominance on the track has been decisive.