Zhang Yinin dropped her paddle to the floor and raised her arms in the air. A roar came from the stands, and fans wildly waved giant red flags. Yes, this was just a game of pingpong, but it also was a big moment for China. Zhang's win in table tennis on Sunday gave China its 100th Olympic gold medal; its first came only 20 years ago. And it provided China's 20th gold medal in Athens, which pulled it even with the United States (the Chinese are now ahead).
With every vault, every dive and every hop, skip and jump, athletes are competing not only for the gold, but also for their nation's place on the medals table. The numbers change constantly as medals are handed out, many in obscure sports. But in this competition, each sport is an equal. Halfway through the games, the race is shaping up --- as expected --- between the United States and China.
In Sydney, the United States wound up with 97 medals, including 39 golds. This time, the Americans are trying to beat that, setting a lofty goal of 100 medals. Roush said disappointing performances at the track Saturday didn't change that.
"It's still obtainable," he said.
China also sees the Americans and the Russians as the countries to beat.
