Dream Team eye third gold
ByReuters
Published 11/08/2004 at 07:53 GMT
Defeated just five times in 18 years, ranked number one in the world and eyeing a third straight Olympic gold in Athens, an American "Dream Team" might expect a little more recognition at home. But the women of U.S. softball are quietly proud of their ach
Eurosport
Image credit: Eurosport
"I have always called us the unknown 'Dream Team'," pitcher Lori Harrigan said on Tuesday. "We have kept this game so strong and so alive with our record."
Defeats by Japan, China and Australia at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 showed others may be closing the gap and the team in Athens expects a stiff challenge, particularly from the Japanese and home team largely comprised of Greek-Americans.
But the fright they had then has also made the U.S. team stronger, forcing the players to pull together, Harrigan said.
Veteran pitcher Lisa Fernandez said coming second was not an option. "Anything less than a gold medal would be a huge disappointment for this team."
Coach Mike Candrea underlined the sense of solidarity in the camp, saying the team was helping him cope with the sudden death of his wife last month. "They are the people who are really helping me get through this time," he said.
The surprise failure of the U.S. men of the amateur baseball team to qualify for Athens, may promise a little more televisual limelight for the women of the softball variant of the game.
And then, of course, there is Jennie Finch: flaxen haired and standing 1.85 metres tall, she has been named one of People magazine's 50 most beautiful people and voted ESPN "Hottest Female Athlete".
Expected to emerge from the Games with international recognition and endorsement deals to sign, she said: "Any attention that brings notoriety to our sport is good for softball."
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