United States Secure Fifth Consecutive Olympic Men’s Basketball Gold, Defeating France in Paris.
The United States extended their dominance in Olympic men’s basketball by clinching their fifth successive gold medal, overcoming hosts France with a 98-87 victory in the final at the Bercy Arena in Paris. The star-studded American team, featuring NBA legends like LeBron James and Stephen Curry, showcased their exceptional talent and teamwork, reaffirming their status as the world’s best.
The match, played in front of nearly 20,000 enthusiastic spectators, saw France put up a strong fight, narrowing the gap to just three points at 82-79 in the final quarter. However, Curry, known for his clutch performances, responded with a crucial three-pointer, extending the lead to 85-79 and followed it up with three more to seal the win for the USA.
LeBron James, speaking about Curry’s performance, said, “You just simply marvel at his talent. Obviously, I’ve seen it before on the opposite side, you have just got to keep finding ways to keep getting him the ball.”
This victory has drawn comparisons to the legendary 1992 ‘Dream Team,’ as the current squad, with four NBA regular season MVP winners—James, Curry, Kevin Durant, and Joel Embiid—alongside 11 NBA All-Stars and seven NBA champions, has earned its place in the annals of basketball history.
Curry, who was at the centre of the celebrations, draped in the Stars and Stripes flag by James, expressed his excitement, saying, “There’s a lot of relief. It wasn’t easy but I’m so excited. This is everything that I wanted it to be and more.”
The final was attended by high-profile figures, including French President Emmanuel Macron, and a host of sports icons such as Thierry Henry and Tony Parker for France, and Scottie Pippen from the USA, part of the original Dream Team.
On a night when the Bercy Arena was the most sought-after venue, those lucky enough to witness the game saw a spectacular display of basketball, with the USA reaffirming their position as the powerhouse of the sport.
