(4 Aug 1996; Day 16)
But, not only did the women win, they didn’t lose. From the scheduled exhibition season prior to the Olympic Games, which included contests against some of the top U.S. collegiate teams as well as the cream of the crop of the international scene, through their eight games in Atlanta, Coach Tara VANDERVEER’s squad went 60-0.
It was all capped off on Sunday night, when in front of 32,997 people, the 12 members of the American team stepped onto the center podium at the awards ceremonies and received their much-awaited prize, a gold medal.
"We accomplished all we set out to do," said pivot Lisa LESLIE, one of the team’s many stars. Often labeled the "Women’s Dream Team," the American women did reach their goals and what to do now is the only uncertainty any one of them has faced since they joined together.
But, unlike the U.S. men’s team, the women’s outcome was not guaranteed. Brazil, for one, had defeated the U.S. at the most recent World Championships, and the U.S. only finished in third at the 1992 Olympic Games.
However, the U.S. rose to the challenge, winning their pool convincingly in the 1996 Olympic tournament with a 5-0 mark. After the U.S. defeated the eventual bronze medal-winning Australians, 93-71, in the semifinals, the stage was set for the matchup with Brazil.
"I thought before the game," said guard Ruthie BOLTON. "The only thing between me and the gold was 40 minutes."
By tip-off, the Americans were ready to regain their spot atop the basketball world. A close game in the first half was broken open just before halftime as the U.S. secured an 11-point lead at the break.
But the second half was the difference, as the U.S. extended its lead to as much as 31 before the Brazilians closed the gap to its final margin. LESLIE led all scorers with 29 points on 12-of-14 shooting as the U.S. finished hitting on 66 percent of their field goal attempts. BOLTON concluded an outstanding all-around performance with 15 points along with five assists, five steals, and five rebounds. Leading the way for Brazil was forward Janeth ARCAIN with 24 points.
"I think our team put together a great defensive effort. I think this has been the best game we played thus far," said LESLIE summarizing her team’s performance.
Yet, the ride is now over and it is time to move on to the next challenge.
This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Brad Laux.
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| Pin trading was one of the most popular Olympic sports, with more than 1.2 million pins changing hands during the Games in the Coca Cola Pin Trading Center at Centennial Olympic Park. |