Before heading out to catch Day Three of the Games, The Mag's Anne Marie Cruz wrote home with thoughts about some Americans hell-bent on world domination.

The woman was totally indignant. Sitting in the press box at Dream Team III vs. China last night, this particular American was living with every lay-up and dying with every missed free throw -- the suspenseless 20-point first-half lead be damned. But as she listened to the stadium roar after Chinese baller Li Qun hit a trey, she couldn't believe the scene. "Why is this crowd rooting for China? I don't understand it."

Overheard

"Do they take a break now?"

-- An Aussie journalist, when it was announced that U.S. vs. Japan would go into extra innings (U.S. won 4-2 in the 13th, with no breaks).

Hmmm. A stumper.

When the U.S. went 1-2 in the men's 400-meter individual medley and the women's 400-meter free earlier yesterday, the American swimmers went nuts. The team was a mess of flags and hugs, shouts and smiles -- pure joy. But as they waited for the medal ceremonies, one of the Americans started maniacally motioning toward Aussie fans and screaming to the rest of the team, "It's US versus THEM! U-S-A! U-S-A!" It was as if he was in a foxhole.

Yeah, like we're not enough of a superpower already. Wanting to win is one thing, but why would anyone be out for blood? This isn't a bloodsport -- it's swimming.

Some people probably miss the Cold War, because those Soviets made such great enemies.

Anne Marie Cruz covers the Olympics for ESPN The Magazine, and wouldn't mind if you called her a pinko.