by Susan Klatz Beal

Created on: January 15, 2010   Last Updated: January 19, 2010

Throughout history, there have been countless rivalries, some of which were large scale international rivalries and others which were more localized.  The games have been known throughout the ages for many rivalries and among the most well known and easily remembered are the "Battle of the Brians," or the rivalry between Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding. Then there was the rivalry between the Canadian figure skating pairs team and the Russian pairs team that prompted the overhaul of the figure skating scoring system.  Rivalries at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics are no exception.

Here is a look at some of the top rivalries we can expect to witness at the upcoming games.

STEVE CROSBY VERSUS ALEX OVECHKIN -

The most prominent rivalry at these games is likely to be that between the Canadian native and captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team and the Russian star of the Washington Capitals hockey team, Alex Ovechkin. These two have been battling for league scoring honors and are very likely to be battling for the gold medal in hockey.

Other notable rivalries to watch include:

MAO ASADA VERSUS YU-NA KIM -

Asada was too young to compete in Torino, but she is still considered a force to reckon with against the Korean star Yu-Na Kim. Kim did well at the Four Continents Championship with a record score on her short program, but she couldn't overtake Asada who landed a triple Axel in her free skate, (a jump that few women, if any, have ever succeeded in executing in an international competition.) Asada was in 6th place going into that free skate, but her flawless routine, coupled with that triple Axel pushed her into third place. Nonetheless, Kim still won the title.

Asada comes from a country with a long tradition of great female figure skaters, including Yuka Sato and Fumie Suguri and Miki Ando. Sasha Cohen, who is slated to skate at the US Figure Skating championship is making a come back after four years. She will be another one to watch. Sasha has always had the artistry and flexibility that other skaters seem to lack, but her main problem in competition is her inconsistency.

CANADA VERSUS UNITED STATES IN WOMEN'S HOCKEY -

In the world of women's hockey, Canada and the U.S. are likened to the Yankees and the Red Socks in baseball. Ever since 1990, these two teams have battled each other in every final at the World Championships. In 1998, when women's hockey was first added to the Olympic games, the United States won the gold medal.

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