Australia's Opals to Compete Without Forward Bec Allen at the 2024 Olympics

Australia's women's basketball team, the Opals, will compete in the 2024 Olympics without forward Bec Allen due to a high-grade hamstring injury. Allen, a key player and member of the Phoenix Mercury, has been replaced by Amy Atwell. The injury occurred during a warmup game against Canada.

Australia's women's basketball team, the Opals, will face the 2024 Olympics without forward Bec Allen after tests revealed a high-grade hamstring injury. The team announced the news on Thursday following their practice at Pierre-Mauroy Stadium in Paris. Allen, who plays for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA, was preparing for her second Olympic appearance before being sidelined by the injury.

Amy Atwell will replace Allen, making her Olympic debut. WNBA coach Sandy Brondello, who also leads the New York Liberty, expressed her sorrow over Allen's absence, calling her irreplaceable and wishing her a speedy recovery. Brondello stated, 'We are absolutely devastated for Bec being ruled out today on the eve of the Games.'

Allen sustained the injury during a warmup game against Canada in Spain on Tuesday. Tests conducted in Paris on Wednesday confirmed the severity of the injury. Bridget Carleton of the Minnesota Lynx, who participated in the same game for Canada, expressed her heartbreak upon learning about Allen’s condition. Allen had also suffered significant injuries in the past, including a partially collapsed lung and broken ribs during the 2022 World Cup in Sydney.

The Opals, currently ranked third globally, remain hopeful as they aim for their first medal since winning bronze at the 2012 London Games. They are set to begin their group play against Nigeria on Monday.