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USA’s Olympic Baseball Team Earns Right to Play in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Written by Julie Smith

The Americans won the Olympic gold medal in the year 2000, but didn’t succeed to qualify for the 2004 Summer Games in Athens. This year the United States of America’s Olympic Baseball Team earned the right to participate in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing by beating Panama 11 - 5 on Sunday night. Cuba also qualified for the Olympics after winning the game against Mexico 4 - 0. Both qualified teams will play against each other next Tuesday. The U.S. record stands at 5-1 in the tournament, while Cuba is 6-0. Tuesday marks the final game for both teams.

The Americans won the Olympic gold medal in the year 2000, but didn’t succeed to qualify for the 2004 Summer Games in Athens. This year the United States of America’s Olympic Baseball Team earned the right to participate in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing by beating Panama 11 - 5 on Sunday night. Cuba also qualified for the Olympics after winning the game against Mexico 4 - 0. Both qualified teams will play against each other next Tuesday. The U.S. record stands at 5-1 in the tournament, while Cuba is 6-0. Tuesday marks the final game for both teams.

During the U.S. - Panama game, Bobby Hill had three hits with an RBI (Run Batted In) and scored twice for the USA’s team, which fell behind 1-0 in the first inning, but scored 10 runs over the next four frames. Michael Bourn and Billy Butler had two runs each one for the U.S. and two RBIs. Michael Bourn tripled in two runs in the bottom of the second inning letting USA’s score ahead of its opponent’s and then knocked out Panama starter Elpidio Pinto by scoring three times in the third.

Greg Smith allowed one run, struck out five and walked two in 3 1/3 innings for the United States. Nic Ungs tossed the next 3 2/3 frames for the win.

Baseball is the first sport in which Americans have earned a spot in the 2008 Olympics. Baseball game’s inventors and the champions of the 2000 Sydney Olympics missed the 2004 Olympics as they didn’t get to qualify at the Americas Qualifier.

About Author
Julie Smith is one of the most recognized copy writers on Sports and currently writes for http://www.instantactionsports.com.

Basketball at the 2008 Olympic Games will be held at Wukesong Indoor Stadium in Beijing from August 9-24, 2008.

Written by David Horne

Basketball is definitely a global sport that has shown continued growth over recent years. The USA with the NBA and its college basketball system undoubtedly has the toughest competitions in the world that attracts the world’s best players. However, the USA has not always dominated the Olympics and on several occasions they have been embarrassed by some unexpected defeats to lesser known teams.

The USA always enters the Olympics as favorites but their inability to gel and play as a team has brought about some bad losses. The question will be is will they have a team of players who play like individuals or will they put aside their egos and play as a team. If they play as a team then they should win the gold medal.

In 1972 the Soviet Union beat the USA to win the gold in a controversial game. After 1988 the Olympics opened the sport up for professional players to play which saw the greatest basketball team of all time to compete in 1992. The “Dream Team” lead by Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were just unbeatable and put on a show for all the world to see. Most of the players on the other teams were star struck by playing against these legends of the game.

In 1992 Michael Jordan was the team’s second highest scorer with 14.9 points per game and he had a tournament high 37 steals. The U.S. defeated Croatia 117-85 in the final and as a result Michael Jordan earned his second Olympic gold medal.

David Stern of the NBA has stated a number of times that they wish to expand and promote the game of basketball in China. As a result they have played and will continue to play more exhibition games in China. The presence of China’s greatest player, Yao Ming in the NBA has helped to increase the popularity of basketball in China.

The following teams have already qualified for the Beijing 2008 Olympics: Angola (African Champion), Argentina (Americas runner-up), Australia (Oceania Champion), China (host), Iran (Asian Champion), Lithuania (European Bronze medallist), Russia (European Champion), Spain (World Champion) and USA (Champion of the Americas).

The remaining three positions for the Beijing Olympics will be decided in the twelve team FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men that will take place in Athens, Greece on July 14th. The tournament will involve the following teams: Cameroon and Cape Verde (Africa), Brazil and Canada (Americas), Lebanon, Puerto Rico and the Republic of Korea (Asia), Greece, Germany, Croatia, and Slovenia (Europe) and New Zealand (Oceania). The draw for this tournament will be held on July 20, 2008 in Athens.

The semi finals are scheduled to be played on August 22nd and the finals two days later on August 24th. Although the Americans often underplay the importance of the Olympic Games it is guaranteed that this time they will want to restore their global dominance in basketball by coming out and performing at their best. Anything less than a gold medal will be taken as a failure by many players and supporters in the USA.

Visit Beijing Basketball for Information on the 2008 Beijing Olympics Here >>>>