US Women's Basketball Team Starts Eighth Gold Medal Quest at Paris Games

The US women's basketball team, led by WNBA MVPs A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, begins its quest for an unprecedented eighth consecutive gold medal at the Paris Games. Veteran player Diana Taurasi aims for her sixth gold medal as the team strives to break the US men's record, opening against Japan.

The friendly warm-up games are over. Now, the US women's basketball team faces the weight of history as it embarks on its quest for an eighth straight gold medal at the Paris Games.

Led by two-time WNBA MVPs A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, the team enters the Olympics with a 55-game Olympic winning streak. The program has not lost a game since the 1992 Barcelona Games. Veteran player, 42-year-old Diana Taurasi, aims to clinch her sixth gold medal, keeping her focus firmly on the competition ahead.

“It doesn't matter what the history is, it doesn't affect this team or this Olympics,” Taurasi said. “We find a way to create our own identity as a team on and off the court. Those last eight don't promise you anything going forward. That's the mindset we've always taken.”

The team aims to break the tie with the US men's basketball team for the most consecutive Olympic gold medals. The women will open their campaign against Japan, followed by matches against Olympic newcomers Germany and Belgium.

Despite the challenges and limited practice time, A'ja Wilson emphasized making the most of their opportunities to improve daily. The US team benefits from its exceptional depth, allowing it to rotate fresh players seamlessly, which has historically worn down its opponents.