In a nail-biting finish, the U.S. women’s basketball team clinched its eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal on Sunday at the Paris Games, edging out France 67-66.
Led by A’ja Wilson’s 21-point performance, the Americans extended their unparalleled winning streak to 61 consecutive victories, marking their closest and most challenging triumph in 32 years.
The game was a historic and intense showdown, with the U.S. team narrowly avoiding defeat in the final moments. Former UConn standout Gabby Williams had a last-second shot just inside the 3-point line, but it wasn’t enough to surpass the Americans.
Wilson expressed immense pride in her team’s resilience, stating, “It’s amazing. It truly is a dynasty that we have built here at USAB. 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.”
This victory breaks the tie with the American men’s program, which had won seven consecutive golds from 1936 to 1968. Notably, both the men’s and women’s U.S. teams faced France in the final, marking the first time in Olympic history that both gold medal games featured the same two nations.
The women’s game came down to the wire, with the Americans holding a narrow lead of 67-64 with just 3.9 seconds left on the clock.
Kahleah Copper’s crucial free throws extended the lead, but France’s Marine Johannes quickly advanced the ball to Williams, who managed a two-point shot over Breanna Stewart. The officials confirmed it was a two-point shot, securing the U.S. victory and igniting celebrations among the American players.
“Gabby hit some great shots down the end, tough shots,” Wilson noted. “We understood what we had in our locker room and leaning on each other and talking to one another and believing that we believed in each other and that’s the greatest thing about it.”
The celebration extended to the courtside where U.S. basketball legends like LeBron James, Bam Adebayo, Derrick White, Lisa Leslie, Sue Bird, and Dawn Staley were in attendance. Williams, who finished with 19 points, received a consoling hug from Staley after her impressive but ultimately insufficient performance.
U.S. coach Cheryl Reeve praised the intense competition, stating, “What a tremendous basketball game. The 12,000-plus that were here were just treated to an unbelievable environment and the level of athleticism and competitiveness that these players had.
What a better way to finish the Paris Olympics than to see that? We feel really fortunate, happy, a lot of words. There’s a lot of trust that has to happen, so I’m just thrilled that we’re able to get a win.”
The victory also marked a historic achievement for Diana Taurasi, who secured her sixth consecutive gold medal, making her the most decorated basketball player in Olympic history.
Despite not playing in the gold medal game, Taurasi’s contribution to the team’s legacy remains significant. She has consistently prioritized the team’s success over individual accolades.
Elsewhere, Australia claimed the bronze medal earlier in the day with an 85-81 win over Belgium, rounding off a remarkable day of basketball at the Paris Olympics.
The U.S. women’s basketball team’s victory in Paris solidifies their dominance and sets a new standard of excellence in Olympic basketball history.
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