Phillips said that when Australia was awarded the Olympics seven years ago, IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch told him precisely that. It certainly seemed to make Talbot uneasy. He pointed out that America's best swimmers and Australia's best barely even meet. It was a rhetorical question. He likes gold better, so do Americans, so does the world.
Gold is a win.
Everything else, especially in a rivalry, is a loss. There is that word again. Seven years ago, Australia set a goal of 60 medals, and 20 golds. Its women's gymnastics team is surprisingly strong this year, and its basketball and baseball teams have medal chances as well. By Monday, we will know whether these Olympics will evolve into a celebration of national pride or a Down Under bummer.