Olympics: Since When do Competitors Ruin Your Chances?

Sitting here watching the Olympics with my husband and the commentators were discussing the Americans chances for winning the women’s gymnastics event. They were debating which of the two Americans had the best shot of winning. Then one of them said that the Chinese were there to ruin the Americans’ chances. Since when do competitors ruin your chances of winning? Without a competitor, there is no race or competition. No wonder Americans aren’t particularly liked outside of our own country. I understand that the American commentators may be rooting for the Americans, but really, let’s try to be a little more sensitive about how we say things.