00:00It had already been a year of triumphs and milestones for women's basketball, even before
00:06the Olympics commenced.
00:08Britney Griner was back on the court after a tumultuous period, while Kaitlyn Clark and
00:13Angel Reese lit up the NCAA, shattering records and infusing new life into the WNBA, a league
00:19already graced by legends like Diana Taurasi and Aya Wilson.
00:24With their achievements setting the stage, Team USA added yet another glowing chapter
00:29by clinching their eighth consecutive gold medal at the Olympics on Sunday, narrowly
00:33defeating France 67-66.
00:37The path to victory was anything but smooth.
00:40Team USA's 61-game win streak seemed in jeopardy, as they delivered an uncharacteristically
00:46poor first-half performance.
00:49The athletic didn't mince words, calling it, arguably, the worst half of basketball the
00:54U.S. women have played on a world stage.
00:58Breanna Stewart expressed her frustration, admitting that it was a little bit ugly, and
01:02France seized the moment, embarking on an 8-0 run to start the second half.
01:09But legends rise when it matters most.
01:11With just 1.32 left in the game, Diana Taurasi, a six-time Olympian and the team's most adorned
01:17athlete, turned to Kalia Kopper and simply said,
01:20Do what you do.
01:23Kopper's response, along with the team's collective effort, rewrote the narrative.
01:28Aya Wilson was instrumental, finishing with 21 points and 13 rebounds.
01:34Reflecting on the game, she said,
01:36I stopped looking for calls.
01:38I leaned on my defense more, and I think that got things going for not only myself but my
01:43teammates as well.
01:46Taurasi, always the voice of experience, remarked,
01:49These games are tough.
01:51Everyone always thinks these games end up being easy because we win gold medals.
01:55That was a tough win.
01:58Completing the gold-winning lineup were Nafisa Collier, Chelsea Gray, Sabrina Ionescu, Jewel
02:03Lloyd, Kelsey Plum, Alyssa Thomas, and Jackie Young.
02:09Alongside the men's fifth consecutive gold medal finish and USWNT's fifth all-time Olympic
02:14gold, American athletes have much to celebrate as the games draw to a close.
02:20The camaraderie, determination, and sheer willpower on display have set a new benchmark
02:25for future generations.
02:28Here's to the champions and the historic year that will be remembered for ages.
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