'Smash them on the blocks': US-Australia rivalry to light up Paris pool

PARIS : American swimming, be warned: Australia are coming for the crown at the Paris Olympics.

A rivalry that has burned for decades may be set to explode at La Defense Arena from Saturday as the two swimming superpowers duel for supremacy in the pool.

Usually distant runners-up to the mighty United States on the swimming medal table, Australia were only two titles short of them at Tokyo three years ago when they grabbed a national record nine gold medals.

The Australians have landed in France with great expectations after winning 13 titles at the World Championships in Fukuoka last year, six more than the U.S. team.

"They've earned the expectations, I believe," said Australia's head swim coach Rohan Taylor.

"They thrive on that."

Australia has topped the swimming medal table only once in Olympic history, in their home pool at the 1956 Melbourne Games.

The last time the U.S. finished off the top was at the 1988 Seoul Games where they finished second behind an East German team whose swimmers were later implicated in doping.

In public, swimmers from both the Australian and U.S. camps have made cordial comments, speaking of mutual respect and healthy competition.

For U.S. swimmer Kate Douglass, racing Australia at Fukuoka was "super fun".

"The way they were able to get out on top in most of the relays has really helped boost our motivation going into the Games," said the 200 metres medley world champion.

In private, the competitive spirit may have a sharper edge.

"We always want to smash them when we get up on the blocks," Australia's distance swimming great Grant Hackett said of racing the U.S.

A powerful women's contingent offers Australia hope of doing just that, three years after Ariarne Titmus toppled the great Katie Ledecky from