![]() ![]() This particular situation would occur at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, where a USA team lacking in star power and international experience would produce what would later be termed as the United States ‘worst-ever Olympic performance’. However, during this incredible run, there was one other occasion where the United States did not stand on the top step of the Olympic podium. ![]() Since the Dream Team’s birth in 1992, the USA has returned to dominate the Olympic men’s basketball tournament once more, winning seven out of eight possible gold medals. Below: The USA ‘Dream Team’ for the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, the first team to include professional NBA players The 1992 Olympic ‘Dream Team’ (L to R): (Front Row) Scottie Pippen, John Stockton, Clyde Drexler (Middle row) Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Chuck Daly (coach), Charles Barkley, Chris Mullin (Back row) Patrick Ewing, Christian Laettner, Magic Johnson, David Robinson, Karl MaloneĪbove: The USA men’s team for the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, the last team to exclusively feature amateur players.Reid, Danny Manning, David Robinson, Charles Smith, Dan Majerle (Front row) Mitch Richmond, Hersey Hawkins, Bimbo Coles, Charles Smith, Jeff Grayer, Willie Anderson 1988 USA Olympic Men’s Basketball Team: (Back row) Stacey Augmon, J.R.The squad christened ‘The Dream Team’ would defeat Croatia 117-85 on 8th August 1992 to win back the Olympic gold medal and create an unforgettable moment in Olympics history. Subsequently, at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, a USA team comprised of Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson, Patrick Ewing, Scottie Pippen, and Karl Malone (amongst others) would dominate the men’s basketball competition, putting 100+ points on every opponent and winning every match by an average of 44 points. One year later, FIBA would reverse their previous decision, voting in a rule change that would give Olympic basketball professional status. In 1988, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) did not allow players from the NBA to participate in the Olympic Games, meaning that the USA basketball team in Seoul was solely comprised of collegiate players. At the time, basketball was still treated as an amateur sport by the IOC and the sport’s governing body FIBA. After a controversial defeat to the USSR in 1972 and the US’s boycott of the Moscow Games in 1980, the team’s third-place finish in Seoul would lead to a review of which players were allowed to represent their country in the Olympic Games. The Seoul Games would constitute only the second time since basketball’s inception as an Olympic sport in 1936 that the men’s competition had not ended with a United States victory.Įvery time the USA fails to win the men’s basketball gold medal at an Olympic Games, the wider sporting world views this failure as a massive upset, with an inquest beginning shortly afterwards. However, an Olympic bronze medal was viewed as an immediate crisis for anyone associated with USA Basketball. A bronze medal in basketball would be termed a success by most Olympic nations. In 1988, the USA men’s basketball team would finish in third place at the Seoul Olympic Games, losing 76-82 to the Soviet Union in the semi-finals. An occasion where they didn’t win the gold medal… ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |