The smiles belie an intense rivalry as Michael Stich (left) and Boris Becker win gold for Germany at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.
Golden smiles? —
The smiles belie an intense rivalry as Michael Stich (left) and Boris Becker win gold for Germany at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.
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Michael Stich celebrates after beating Becker in the first all-German men's final at Wimbledon in 1991, ratcheting up an intensifying battle between the pair which lasted until their retirements in the late 1990s.
The birth of a very German rivalry —
Michael Stich celebrates after beating Becker in the first all-German men's final at Wimbledon in 1991, ratcheting up an intensifying battle between the pair which lasted until their retirements in the late 1990s.
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Upon beating South Africa in the 1992 Olympic final, Stich and Becker hugged "like brothers" -- a gesture Becker says would have been "impossible" just a week before the tournament.
Brothers in arms —
Upon beating South Africa in the 1992 Olympic final, Stich and Becker hugged "like brothers" -- a gesture Becker says would have been "impossible" just a week before the tournament.
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Strikers Teddy Sheringham (centre) and Andrew Cole (second from right) won a host of trophies at Manchester United together despite barely talking to one another on a social basis.
Devilish rivals —
Strikers Teddy Sheringham (centre) and Andrew Cole (second from right) won a host of trophies at Manchester United together despite barely talking to one another on a social basis.
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Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were paired together by U.S. Ryder Cup captain Hal Sutton in 2004 in a mistaken belief that the best players in the world would dominate their opponents. The duo lost both matches they played together in a partnership devoid of unity.
'Dream Team' nightmare —
Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were paired together by U.S. Ryder Cup captain Hal Sutton in 2004 in a mistaken belief that the best players in the world would dominate their opponents. The duo lost both matches they played together in a partnership devoid of unity.
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Tonya Harding (left) and Nancy Kerrigan studiously avoid one another as they train for the 1994 Winter Olympics, just one month after Harding's former husband had hired an assailant to break Kerrigan's legs. The latter had the last laugh as she took Olympic silver, with Harding finishing eighth.
Ice wars —
Tonya Harding (left) and Nancy Kerrigan studiously avoid one another as they train for the 1994 Winter Olympics, just one month after Harding's former husband had hired an assailant to break Kerrigan's legs. The latter had the last laugh as she took Olympic silver, with Harding finishing eighth.
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Cricketer Kevin Pietersen (right) was dropped from the England team after sending "provocative" texts about his own teammates to rival South African players while the two sides were playing Test matches against one another earlier this year.
Out on his own —
Cricketer Kevin Pietersen (right) was dropped from the England team after sending "provocative" texts about his own teammates to rival South African players while the two sides were playing Test matches against one another earlier this year.
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Ayrton Senna (left) and Alain Prost (centre) in happier times during the early stages of their tempestuous spell together at McLaren, which prompted the Frenchman to abandon the team midway through the Brazilian's second year.
Paddock problems —
Ayrton Senna (left) and Alain Prost (centre) in happier times during the early stages of their tempestuous spell together at McLaren, which prompted the Frenchman to abandon the team midway through the Brazilian's second year.
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Senna is given a push for a restart while Prost abandons the race after the supposed teammates collided during the Japanese Grand Prix in 1989.
Spinning out of control —
Senna is given a push for a restart while Prost abandons the race after the supposed teammates collided during the Japanese Grand Prix in 1989.
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A grieving Prost (second from left), whose relationship with Senna changed after retirement and who says that a part of him died when the 34-year-old suffered a fatal crash in 1994, carries the Brazilian's coffin at his funeral in Sao Paulo.
Pall bearer —
A grieving Prost (second from left), whose relationship with Senna changed after retirement and who says that a part of him died when the 34-year-old suffered a fatal crash in 1994, carries the Brazilian's coffin at his funeral in Sao Paulo.