Beijing - Natalia Valeeva and Khatuna Lorig were members of the CIS (formerly Soviet Union) team that took the bronze medal in the woman's archery competition back at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.
Valeeva also added a bronze in the individual event.
On Saturday, they could again line-up next to each other, but this time, not as part of the same Russian side, but as opponents.
But if either of them goes on to win a medal, it will not be the Russian medal tally that benefits, it will either be Italy or the US, as both have since competing in Barcelona 16 years ago changed nationalities.
The 39-year-old Valeeva, who is married to an Italian and has one son, now resides in Modena in Italy and competes for that country. Lorig lives in Bloomfield, New Jersey, and is an American citizen.
Remarkably, for both archers Beijing will mark the third country for which they are participating at the Olympics.
Valeeva participated in Atlanta 1996 for Moldova, while she shot for Italy in 2000 and 2004. Lorig, meanwhile, participated in the 1996 and 2000 Olympics for Georgia before moving to the US.
She missed out on the 2004 Olympics because she had not acquired citizenship at the time, but managed to qualify for Beijing.
"I am proud to have my US citizenship. Compared to Georgia, where I am from, the training environment in the US is excellent," she said.
Lorig downplayed the possibility of facing a former team-mate:"I don't care who my competition is. I am competing for myself here. It's individual."
The women's archery competition at the August 8-24 Games runs from Saturday August 9 till Thursday August 14 on the Beijing Olympic Green archery field. (dpa)
US News
- Sun Pharma Gets FDA Nod To Sell Nasal Spray Astelin In US Market
- Bharti Airtel Gets Hold Of 49% Stake In Qualcomm India broadband
- Facebook IPO issue must be reviewed, says U.S. financial regulators
- Brooklyn to investigate witness intimidation in abuse cases
- Sun Pharma, Dr Reddy's & Aurobindo Get USFDA Authorization To Market Generic Cardiac Drug
Rome, May 28 : The captain of the Italian football club Lazio has been arrested amid investigations in connection to match-fixing scandal. 
London, May 28 : Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany has expressed his hope of making an impact at the Saturday's England v/s Belgium friendly, after not being slotted in for the Euro 2012 squad. 
London, May 28 : Former England cricketer Adam Hollioake has revealed that his friends and family were surprised when he chose the gentleman's game over rugby and boxing as his profession. 
Islamabad, May 28 : Pakistan cricketer Wajahatullah Wasti has said the Twenty20 format has caused a lot of damage to the techniques of opening batsmen. 
Sydney, May 18 : Australian professional motorcycle racer, two-time MotoGP world champion, Casey Stoner, announced that he will retire from Grand Prix racing at the 
Pune, April 30 - Veer Patel of Baroda steered his Honda CRF 250 with much panache to clinch the title in the showpiece Foreign Open class ahead of defending champion Aravind KP in the 2012 National Supercross championship here.