US women on verge of record 8th straight gold medal in basketball, with only France standing in their way

PARIS (AP) — The U.S. women’s basketball team isn’t focused on its record-breaking Olympic winning streak or the history the team would make with one more victory.

The Americans are focused solely on beating France and winning the gold medal at the Olympic Games in Paris on Sunday.

“The winning streak doesn’t mean much. But to win it all, it means the world to me,” star A’ja Wilson said. “I can’t really pay attention to a lot of streaks. I feel like that’s just added pressure. But to come here and keep the big thing the big thing and win it, it’s something that’s going to mean the world to me. To continue to be a part of the legacy, the journey that this team, to wear this jersey and others that have been here before me, it’s amazing. So it’s going to mean a lot to us.”

With a win on Sunday, the U.S. women’s legacy would extend to 61 consecutive Olympic victories and a record eight consecutive gold medals, breaking a tie with the U.S. men’s program, which won seven in a row from 1936-68.

With a win, Diana Taurasi would win her sixth consecutive gold medal, making her the most decorated basketball player in Olympic history, breaking a tie with teammate Sue Bird, who has won five.

Taurasi has been modest about the potential record, saying she cares more about the team win than her individual success. It has been a tough Olympics for her, as she has not started the last two events. This is the first time she has not been in the opening lineup since the 2004 Olympics.

Standing in their way is a French team, egged on by a noisy, energetic crowd. The match is a rematch of the 2012 London Olympics, which the US won by 36 points.

“I think it’s going to be an incredible atmosphere. I think when you play the host country in their country, you expect it to be off the chain,” U.S. winger Breanna Stewart said. “Obviously, we played Japan in Tokyo, but there were no fans. And that’s what you want, you want that loud excitement.”

The Americans have had strong halves and quarters, but still haven’t played a great 40 minutes. That’s been good enough to get to the Olympics so far, and no team has come close to single digits.

The French players know they have a tough task ahead of them: they must win their country’s first gold medal and pull off a huge surprise.

“You have to believe if you want to do something special,” said French winger Gabby Williams. “What I love is our connection between us and our belief in each other. And if there’s anything that’s going to bring us gold, it’s that.”

French defender Marine Johannes knows who is on the other team.

“All the best players in the world. But like I said before, we have nothing to lose,” she said. “We’re going to play hard.”

Sunday’s match concludes a weekend in which France and the US will play for the men’s and women’s gold medals, the first time in Olympic history.

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AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

Doug Feinberg, The Associated Press