PARIS, Sept 13 (Reuters) - France's mission to the United Nations in Geneva has said it "regrets" criticising the United States over human rights in a social media post that triggered a diplomatic dispute which has delayed the arrival of a new French ambassador in Washington.

The French centre’s troubles are hardly unique. Populist-right parties are surging in many democracies. Yet in Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania and elsewhere, centrists have found ways to beat them. Besides a willingness to sound firm on immigration and crime, politicians who vanquish populists tend to share three traits.

Despite France built up as a rival contender, Team USA used a dominant third quarter to shut the door on their bid.

France led by 14 points early, but the U.S. defense dominated and veterans stepped up to capture a fifth straight gold.