Diana Taurasi Secures Record 6th Olympic Gold as USA Women’s Basketball Defeats France

 Diana Taurasi Secures Record 6th Olympic Gold as USA Women’s Basketball Defeats France

Diana Taurasi Makes History with Sixth Olympic Gold Medal

PARIS (AP) — Diana Taurasi now stands alone at the top of Olympic basketball history, holding up six fingers on the medal stand. At 42 years old, Taurasi won her sixth gold medal as part of the U.S. women’s basketball team that narrowly defeated France 67-66 on Sunday. This victory broke the tie she held with her former teammate, Sue Bird, making her the most decorated Olympic basketball player ever.

“Wearing this jersey for 20 years is a dream come true,” Taurasi said. “It’s an honour to play with the best in the world.”

During the medal ceremony, Taurasi placed a hand over her heart while the national anthem played, marking one last moment on the Olympic stage. She then joined her family for photos, adding one more gold medal to her collection.

Taurasi has been a key part of the U.S. team’s incredible 61-game winning streak in Olympic basketball, which dates back to the 1992 Barcelona Games. She’s been a part of 44 of those victories. Sunday’s win against France was the closest the U.S. has come to losing in all that time.

“That was a tough French team, and the crowd was great,” Taurasi said. “Sometimes, you just have to find a way to win, even if it’s not pretty. And that’s what we did.”

Unlike in her previous five Olympics, Taurasi didn’t play in the final game this time. However, she still contributed off the court, sharing her experience and leadership with her teammates as they won their eighth straight gold medal.

Brittney Griner, who has played with Taurasi in the last three Olympics, expressed how much her presence will be missed. “Dee means everything to USA Basketball and to all of us,” Griner said. “There’s going to be a big hole with her gone, and I’m just glad I got to be here with her one last time.”

U.S. coach Cheryl Reeve praised Taurasi for handling her reduced role with grace, noting that she’s been a key figure for USA Basketball for years. “She’s done it all,” Reeve said. “In her final Olympics, her leadership and knowledge were invaluable.”

As the U.S. team celebrated their win, Taurasi shared hugs with her teammates and with Sue Bird, who was watching the game from the sidelines.

Taurasi confirmed that she’s retiring from USA Basketball, even with the next Olympics set for Los Angeles in 2028, her hometown. Jokingly, she said you might see her there, “on the beach with a beer in my hand, sitting next to Sue.”