Open Mic: China vs USA - A Purely Beijing Battle

China against the United States is fast becoming the battle at the top of the Olympic medal table. Some are asking whether this battle is here to stay, taking on a new Cold War style significance. Speaking from a purely personal point of view, I can say it's not.

Beijing 2008 and these 16 days have been firmly engrained in the Chinese psyche for seven years. Their intent, to put on one of the greatest shows the world has ever seen and, give or take a few computer graphics here or there, they have largely succeeded.

A week Sunday however is the end date for the grand plan and as always happens the olympic sized hangover will kick in. China has planned little for events post-2008, after all most events won't take place on such a scale and that's not quite worth the same effort. 

There's the pure and simple home town factor, it happens at all events. Athletes perform slightly better at a big home event, and important decisions are slightly more likely to go their way. (I defy anyone to say 100% that it doesn't)

London 2012 will be very different, for a start there'll be far more crooked teeth on show and the stadiums won't be as spectacular (don't knock me I come from Britain!), but the question is how the Chinese will perform overseas? It's very different being thousands of miles from home to the insular and controlled experience they are having now.

The weight of expectation will be stronger at every championships, after all they've done it before so why can't they do it again. All the little edges will have gone however and will be benefiting someone else.

Let me put it this way, it's different running in front of 90,000 success hungry fans on a warm, humid night in Beijing to running on a cold friday night miles away from home in London. I know it's slightly cliche, but it's still valid. 

Take Liu Zige, winner of the 200m butterfly. She knocked 3 seconds off her Personal Best to break the world record, but has only been competing for a year. How far she will have progressed in the next year up the World Championships in Rome will give us a fuller reflection of her talents.

I am in no way trying to be anti-Chinese here, they are incredibly talented in events such as gymnastics, shooting, and archery, but these have been staples. Hosting an Olympics gives drive to do well in every event, that same drive and ambition won't be present in 4 years time.

Full credit where it's due though, they're having their moment in the limelight and are grabbing it with both hands. I just hope Britain can do the same in four years time.