“In sporting terms, actually, we’re all at war against China.”

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That’s the word from Simon Clegg, chief executive of the British Olympic Association, regarding next year’s Beijing Olympics. China is, as Clegg points out, in the midst of an incredible effort to prepare its athletes for the Games. It’s not just gearing up for strong showings in events like diving, where it’s a traditional powerhouse. China’s also trying to do well in sports like tennis, which was still pretty rare in the country not so long ago.

So it sounds like China’s drive has touched a nerve. Is this going to be a theme for the next, uh, 568 days? I hope not, but I wouldn’t be surprised. Should China feel bad for wanting to win? I don’t think so. But there might now be an effort to make the medal quest seem less intense than it truly is.