When U.S. Olympic Committee leadership wasn’t apologizing for Beijing organizers, they actually made some interesting points about the changes in the Olympic competitive power structure.

What used to be a Big Three (USA, Soviet Union, East Germany) went down to a Big One (the U.S.), moved back up to a Big Two (Russia, U.S.) and is now back to being a troika — the U.S., Russia and China, the new kid on the podium.

China’s charge up the medals table is impressive, given that it had never been to an Olympics before 1980. And didn’t win a gold medal until 1984.

Now, USOC officials are casting the Chinese as favorites in the chase for precious medals.

Jim Scherr, USOC chief executive officer, suggested “a majority of pollsters are picking China to win the gold-medal count, if not the overall count (as well). But we make no predictions.”

The U.S. won 35 gold medals at Athens in 2004. China won 32, and Russia 27.

Taking into account China’s steady rise in medals, as well as the “medal bump” host nations pretty much can count on … China could finish on top for the first time. Both in gold medals and overall medals.

“We think that competition is wonderful,” Scherr said. “It focuses our resources and attention and makes us get better.

“This is a (Chinese) system that is long-lived. It is not a one-shot deal. It will be a formidable system for a long time. We know it is here to stay.”

Scherr said he doesn’t expect China to fade in the way Russia did when the old Soviet sports machine broke down, along with the USSR’s political structure. He also noted that the Russians are busily rebuilding their facilities and training, and are players again.

Peter Ueberroth, USOC chairman of the board, said, “I expect (China) to be the dominant team in the Olympics for many, many years to come. I’m not surprised at all. We will do our best. We’re not used to being underdogs in the Summer Games.

“You also have to look at Russia.”

Look for a three-team race, then. The first since 1988, back when East Germany was still in business,  and contesting the Americans and Russians for sports hegemony.

Yeah, it’s about good sportsmanship and all that … but it’s also fun to look at the standings and root for (and against) somebody.