August 10, (THEWILL) – The United States men’s basketball team claimed their fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal on Saturday, defeating France 98-87 in Paris. This victory marks the 17th Olympic gold for the US in men’s basketball.
In a repeat of the Tokyo 2020 final, the star-studded American team, led by LeBron James and the unplayable Steph Curry, proved too strong for the French squad. James, wearing golden sneakers to commemorate the occasion, played a key role in the US team’s success.
Despite the home-court advantage and the support of a passionate French crowd at the Bercy arena, the hosts were unable to upset the favoured Americans. French basketball sensation Victor Wembanyama, the NBA’s Rookie of the Year, put up a valiant effort but could not overcome the experienced US team.
The French team will have another opportunity for Olympic glory on Sunday when their women’s basketball team faces the United States. However, they face an uphill battle against the American women, who have not lost an Olympic game since 1992 and are aiming for their eighth straight gold medal.
This latest triumph cements the United States’ dominance in Olympic basketball, extending their winning streak to five consecutive tournaments. The victory also adds another chapter to the storied rivalry between these two basketball powerhouses.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
