They lived up to expectations, credentials and history. But it wasn’t so easy for Team USA. The truth is that in Paris 2024, the dominance of the United States in Olympic Games was once again ratified. Champions in the men’s tournament with an imperial Stephen Curry and also in women, closing with the gold medal on the last day of the mega event that has been taking place in the French capital.
On Sunday, August 11, in addition to the Clausura, some of its focuses were on the Bercy Arena, where the United States and France cheered on the women’s basketball final. It was a 67-66 victory for the Americans, supported from the stands by fellow gold medalists LeBron James, Bam Adebayo and Derrick White. For the North American team it was the tenth gold in 12 participations. They have led the podium uninterruptedly since Atlanta 1996.
The dominance of the United States in Olympic basketball is undisputed. The Dream Team 2024 completed its mission in the men’s tournament, after having suffered against Serbia in the semifinal and after having lost the hierarchy against France in the final. The big star? Stephen Curry in his first Olympics, although the MVP went to LeBron. For the men it was the 17th gold in 20 participations. Only the dissolved Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union, plus Argentina’s golden generation in Athens 2004, have left the Americans without the most desired medal.
History tells that since the NBA allowed its players to compete in Barcelona 1992 with the Dream Team of Jordan and company, the Olympic Games have had an important relevance for basketball in that country. It is perhaps the tournament that they most aspire to win, even over the World Cup, which often functions as a qualifier for the next Olympics.
The importance assigned to Paris 2024 was palpable even before the inauguration. The stars of the WNBA and the NBA were beginning to join in and little by little the wave was convincing more players to want to be in the Olympic Games this year. LeBron James was the standard bearer for Team USA, in fact; and A’ja Wilson, a figure who caught the eyes of her own delegation colleagues even on the boat as they sailed the Seine greeting everyone. There is a video of that day, when the later Olympic fencing champion Lee Kiefer shyly introduced herself and greeted the WNBA figure, who with a smile offered her an interchangeable pin in return.
The truth is that the stars were in Paris and met their expectations. They are the dominators of basketball in the Olympic Games. The United States, responding to their status as creators of this sport, promoters and owners of the best league in the world, achieved their goal and won the medal they sought.
