Olympics: China's Women Triumph Over Americans

Some sportswriters have been somewhat hasty in defining this Games as a Clash of Civilizations when, speaking for myself, their knowledge of ancient history is as hazy as the Beijing sky. That admitted, there is little doubt both China and America were taking their performing girls very seriously. In the end, however, the Americans suffered a very serious defeat.

Many Americans had labeled it the hot ticket event of the Games while in the China Daily it was written that "the battle between the two powerhouses is likely to be a further indication as to the balance of power between the two nations". By our gymnasts shall we be judged.

The whole Clash of Civilizations thing (the C of C, perhaps) was spice-girled up by the Americans alleging that the Chinese athletes were underage. Giving it the bag of sweets and the cheeky smile allegation is about as nuclear as it gets in gymnastics and the Chinese did not dignify it with a response. Sensibly, probably, because the headline "Candidate denies being pedophile" has never played well with the voters.

Seasoned C of C watchers noted two points. First, if the Chinese had made such claims in America the incandescence of Fox News can only be imagined.Second, the paedo rap had been used before by fading empire to rising power, most notably in the 1930s when Graham Greene accused the Americans of being a nation of Shirley Temple fanciers and ignited the mother and daughter of all libel actions.

So to the arena. The young-enough-to-be-my daughters Chinese were only so-so in the vault and found themselves behind not only the Americans but the new kids on the C of C block, the Russian Federation.

The parallel bars, however, proved to be pivotal in defining the balance of power. The American girls (Chellsie, Shawn and Nastia) performed as competently as you would expect college girls to perform. The Chinese, though, were exceptional. Particularly the 16-year-old He Kexin, who had fallen on Sunday but was extremely whippy today. The best way, perhaps, for an outsider to assess the merits of a performance is to see how touchy-feely the coach is and He received a double kiss and hug before being awarded the highest score of the competition (16.850).

Just when it seemed the cat was in the bag, Fei Cheng came off the beam. Not even a high five this time from her team-mates, just a tepid pat. The coach gave her the consolatory shoulder. She was awarded a 15.150. The point advantage had evaporated. Their team leader, and only former Olympian, had let the side down.

Linlin Deng wobbled a bit but stayed on, was given a kiss on each cheek by the coach (if you think being England manager is burdensome come and coach a Chinese Olympic team) and was awarded a 15.925. Shanshan Li got the full coach hug and a 16.050.

First up for the US was Alicia Sacramone and she was off almost before she was on. It was fast becoming the imbalance beam. She, too, received the consolatory shoulder and a 15.100. Her team-mates performed creditably and we moved to the dance floor with the Chinese still a single point ahead.

Here, sad to report, the Superpower which gave us disco were, frankly, sloppy as hell. I've seen more precise dancing in Chicagos in Norwich on Saturday night. The Chinese merely had to stay on their feet to triumph.This, despite essaying some fairly bold steps, they managed to do. And as Fei Cheng finished strutting her stuff the stadium erupted and the coach awarded her the full bear hug and lift. The Americans, to their credit, also applauded but when it comes to bendy little girls there is no question as to which civilization is ascendant.