Face of a dynasty
PARIS—Diana Taurasi capped her international career with a sixth Olympic gold medal on Sunday, calling it “truly an honor” to represent the USA and see the growth of the global game.
The United States won their record eighth straight gold with a gritty 67-66 victory over host nation France.
Taurasi, with gold in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024, surpassed Sue Bird for the most Olympic golds by an American women’s basketball player, but despite the United States’ long dominance Taurasi never thought it was a sure thing.
“These games are tough,” Taurasi said. “Everyone always thinks it’s going to be easy to win gold medals. But a game in France against a French team—they play physical, they play hard, play for their country. It was a tough win.”
The US women struck down two feats with one victory. Apart from getting the gold, the Americans made sure their country emerged No. 1 in the medal tally. It was also the 61st straight victory of the United States in women’s basketball, and Taurasi played in 44 of them.
However, the Phoenix Mercury guard, owner of three WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) titles, didn’t play in the final, but US coach Cheryl Reeve said before the Games her experience was a “tremendously valuable” asset.
“She’s one of the greatest competitors women’s basketball, and sports, has ever seen,” Reeve said. “There’s no substitute for that level of experience.”
A’ja Wilson scored a game-high 21 points for the Americans who won the title for the 10th time overall, surviving a buzzer-beating shot from France’s Gabby Williams.
Foot on the line
The hosts needed a three to force overtime in Paris but Williams’ foot was on the three-point line as she let go of the ball, so her shot counted for just two points in a dramatic finale.
“I wish I could put it into words. I don’t think I’ll remember that second half for the next couple of weeks. It’s all a blur right now,” said Wilson, who also registered 13 rebounds and four blocks.
“We were just resilient in what we needed to do.”
Kelsey Plum and Kahleah Copper both scored 12 points off the bench for the US.
Williams, who led France with 19, admitted she knew her last-gasp shot wasn’t going to be enough.
“I knew straight away it was two points but I was going quickly. It was hard to stop,” she said.
The referees briefly conferred before confirming the game was over.
An eighth straight triumph gave the US women the record for most consecutive gold medals in any team sport at the Olympics, breaking a tie with the US men, who won seven basketball titles in a row from 1936 to 1968.
Taurasi counseled her younger teammates that the United States’ history of success was no guarantee of gold.
“I just told the team before the tournament, history doesn’t earn you another one. You’ve got to go and earn it.
“All these teams have anted up, they’re all investing in their teams and you see it in this tournament. Every night any team could have won,” she said. “It’s been fun to be a part of that.”
She’s also enjoyed playing alongside changing generations of talent. With her sixth gold in hand, she said, “I think I’ll just look back on 20 years of being able to wear the jersey. I’ve been lucky to be around some of the best players to ever play.”
