Tuesday, August 3, 2004

9/11 has forever changed the way the world thinks, interacts, communicates and works together. And the Olympic Games have also been affected by this horrific day and tragedy as well. Security remains a paramount concern and priority for the Games in Athens and outstanding athletes from several nations have chosen not to participate in the Games due to their concerns for personal safety. That concern is felt the strongest right here on American soil and its Olympic teams. And because of this, many of our Olympic teams will be spotlighting younger and unknown athletes than in past Games.

The United States will not be sending the "Dream Teams" of past years to compete in the 2004 Summer Games. This time around, the U.S. is sponsoring what is being referred to as the "I Have A Dream" teams; teams that younger and more unknown than past years. Teams for the U.S. to keep your eyes on:

• Men's Basketball - "...With an average age of 23.6, it will be the youngest team to represent the United States since the Dream Team era began in 1992... Rejection has been the recurring theme over the past several months as one superstar after another withdrew or turned down an invitation to represent the United States in Athens; this has left the door open for many young and ambitious players. The team will practice at the University of North Florida for five days and play an exhibition against Puerto Rico before going on a pre-Olympic tour that includes exhibition games in Germany, Serbia and Turkey. The Americans open Olympic play Aug. 15 against Puerto Rico." Team members include:

• Men's and Women's Track and Field - The team that emerged from the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials, which ended Sunday at Hornet Stadium, includes nine gold medalists: Marion Jones, LaTasha Colander, Stacy Dragila, Gail Devers, Monique Hennagan, Allen Johnson, Maurice Greene, Jearl Miles-Clark and Angelo Taylor. Team members for men and women include:

• Women's Basketball - Less than three weeks from the start of the Athens Games, there's been only one defection from the WNBA among the 12 women who will compete in basketball for the United States. Team members include: