After a wait of 41 years for a black coach to reach the Super Bowl, suddenly there are two. With their teams’ victories over the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots, the Chicago Bears’ Lovie Smith and the Indianapolis Colts’ Tony Dungy finally broke through the sport’s last colour barrier.

Just before the second half of an under-20 friendly international in Fort Lauderdale last month, Haiti’s Ricardo Champagne sidled up to Freddy Adu and asked him to pose for a photograph. Less than a month into the age of Adu, the 14-year-old has already become more of a celebrity than an opponent.

Augusta, Georgia, is a curious place. For four days next week it will be the centre of the sports universe. TV cameras will beam sumptuous shots of loblolly pines and blushing azaleas around the world, each idyllic image from the tournament accompanied by over-romantic commentary.