BEIJING — This women’s gymnastics contest is a clash of superpowers not seen since the demise of the Soviet Union.
In this corner, the United States, leader of the Western world and usually of the medals table. In the other corner, China, whose economy is growing to become equal to its 1.3 billion population and 3.7 million square miles.
Yet USA vs. China is hardly a conventional rivalry. Mostly, each nation wins medals in sports that the other doesn’t.
An exception is women’s gymnastics, in which the United States beat defending champion China at last year’s World Championships. Yet don’t expect any off-the-mat spats involving the Chinese during Sunday’s team qualification at the Olympic Games.
“They’ve always been a pretty respectful team. No one’s punched anyone out. Nothing violent,” McCordsville, Ind., gymnast Samantha Peszek said jokingly
