Women’s basketball at the Olympics has been a battle for silver and bronze since 1992, which was the last time the Americans lost.
There seems little reason to believe this summer’s tournament in Paris will be any different, although China’s second place at the World Cup in 2022 might give them reason to dream.
Athletes to watch
Lauren Jackson (Australia): Returned to international play at the 2022 World Cup to lead the Opals to the bronze medal. The 43-year-old three-time WNBA MVP has not played in the Olympics since 2012 because of injuries. Jackson has three silver medals (2000, 2004, 2008) and one bronze (2012).
Satou Sabally (Germany): Helped Germany qualify for their first Olympics and is one of the top young players in the WNBA, where she plays for the Dallas Wings.
A’ja Wilson (United States): One of the top faces of the tournament, Wilson has been a winner everywhere she has played, winning an NCAA title at South Carolina, two WNBA championships with the Las Vegas Aces and Olympic gold in Tokyo.
Emma Meesseman (Belgium): Helped Belgium reach the quarter-finals at Tokyo three years ago.
Megan Gustafson (Spain): After playing in college at Iowa, the Wisconsin native went through the naturalisation process so she could play for Spain, which finished sixth at the Tokyo Olympics. She now plays for the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces.
Storylines to follow
Going for eight: The US have not lost a game since the 1992 Olympics. It has an incredible frontcourt in Wilson, Breanna Stewart and Brittney Griner, who will be playing in her first international game since spending 10 months in a Russian jail in 2022. Can the Americans win gold for an eighth consecutive Olympics?
Vying for second? While the US are heavy favourites to repeat, the other medal spots are up for grabs. Japan got silver in Tokyo, but the team have since undergone a lot of change, including a new coach.
Hosts France are medal contenders after winning bronze three years ago, while China claimed the silver medal at the 2022 World Cup and will try to earn their first Olympic medal since 1992.
Key dates
The competition begins on July 28 in Lille, France, with the preliminary round continuing until August 4. The elimination rounds will be played in Paris, with the quarter-finals on August 7, the semi-finals two days later and the medal games on August 11, the final day of the Olympics.
Reigning champions
The US have won the past seven gold medals.
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