The United States women’s basketball team etched their name in history once again, claiming an eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal with a nail-biting 67-66 victory over host France on Sunday. The win marked a historic moment, denying the French a golden finish to the Paris Games that seemed within reach.
The drama unfolded as France, led by a ten-point advantage in the third quarter, appeared poised to pull off one of the biggest upsets in Olympic history. However, the Americans fought back with unwavering determination. In a crucial moment, Gabby Williams sank a clutch three-pointer, leaving the French trailing by just one point with five seconds left on the clock.
The tension reached a fever pitch as the clock ticked down to zero. Williams, in a desperate attempt, launched a shot that banked in off the backboard, seemingly tying the game at 67-67. But a video replay revealed that Williams had been inside the arc, making it a two-point shot and securing a dramatic one-point victory for the United States.
This win marks an extraordinary feat for the American women’s basketball team, extending their Olympic winning streak to a remarkable 61 games, a streak of dominance that dates back to 1992. With LeBron James, wearing the gold medal from the U.S. men’s victory over France the day before, watching from courtside, the American women completed the golden hoops double, solidifying their position as the undisputed champions of Olympic basketball.
