The U.S. women’s basketball team won its straight eighth Olympic gold medal, defeating defeating France by 1 point to win 67-66 at Bercy Arena, in a match that came down to the last shot.
The Americans were up 67-64 with 3.9 seconds left after Kahleah Copper hit two free throws. Marine Johannes brought the ball up the court to Gabby Williams, who caught the ball just inside the 3-point line and banked in over the outstretched arms of Breanna Stewart for the final margin. There was a brief delay before the officials signaled that it was a two-point shot.
The U.S. women were led by two-time WNBA champion A’ja Wilson, who scored 21 points. Wilson said: “It’s amazing. It truly is a dynasty that we have built here at USAB has been incredible. I’m so proud and blessed to be a part of it, but God was working today. God was working today. And I am so proud of the resilience that my team showed. We could have fumbled it many times, but we pulled through. To say I am a two-time gold medalist, I am so blessed.”
With Sunday’s victory, the U.S. women’s legacy stretches to 61 consecutive wins in Olympic contests. It also breaks a tie with the U.S. men’s program that won seven in a row from 1936-68. The U.S. women last lost in Olympic play when they failed to bring home gold in 1992.
The women’s victory also came less than 24 hours after the U.S. men’s team also beat France in the title game, marking the first time in Olympic history that both gold medal basketball games featured the same two teams.
The victory gave Diana Taurasi a sixth consecutive gold medal, making her the most decorated basketball player in Olympic history, breaking a tie with longtime teammate Sue Bird, who won five. Team USA coach Cheryl Reeve said: “We feel really fortunate and happy. And, you know, there’s a lot of trust that has to happen. That’s why I’m just thrilled that we were able to get it done.”
Australia beat Belgium 85-81 in the women’s basketball bronze medal match. That victory gave the Australians their sixth Olympic medal in women’s basketball.
Editorial credit: Thomas Trompeter / Shutterstock.com
