OLY – Games about to commence

LONDON (Olympics) - The dreams of a select group of basketball players from around the world are about to be realized.

The Olympics are about to tip off in London, England, with 12 teams competing in both the men's and women's tournaments.

There will be 144 players in the women’s tournament and 144 in the men’s.

There will be first-time Olympians, and players that have competed at the Summer Games before.

The tournaments will be held at the Olympic Basketball Arena in Stratford, where 12,000 spectators will be able to watch.

Hundreds of millions of viewers will also tune in from around the world to see the action on television or listed on the radio.

Once the men's tournament, which gets underway on Sunday, reaches the Quarter-Finals, the games will be played at the North Greenwich Arena (formerly O2 Arena and Millennium Dome).

The women's tournament, which begins on Saturday, will shift to the North Greenwich Arena for the Semi-Final stages.

As always is the case at Olympic Games, there will be plenty of drama.

The one question that everyone is asking is this: Can any national side upset the powerhouse country in basketball, the men’s and women’s teams of the United States?

Both teams are showing up in London looking to defend titles won in Beijing four years ago.

Neither side lost a game in China.

The USA women, who are led at an Olympics for the first time by coach Geno Auriemma, are seeking a fifth consecutive gold medal triumph.

Since the 1976 Games in Montreal, when women's basketball became an Olympic sport, the Americans have captured six of a possible nine gold medals.

Dating back to 1936, when men's basketball became an Olympic sport, the United States have captured 13 of a possible 17 gold medals.

The American women haven't tasted defeat at an Olympics since their 79-73 setback to the Commonwealth of Independent States in the Semi-Finals of the 1992 Games.

The men haven't lost since their 89-81 defeat to Argentina in the Semi-Finals of the 2004 Olympics.

Under current coach Mike Krzyzewski, in fact, the Americans haven't lost since their 101-95 defeat to Greece in the Semi-Finals of the 2006 FIBA World Championship.

The USA players on both teams know there are hurdles to clear if they are to reach the top of the podium in London.

In the men's tournament, Argentina and Brazil will pose significant threats to the United States along with two-time defending European champions Spain.

France, Russia, Lithuania, China, Tunisia, Nigeria, Australia and Great Britain complete the field.

The USA women will be wary of the Czech Republic – the side they beat in the Final of the 2010 FIBA World Championship – along with Turkey, Australia, France and Russia.

Hosts Great Britain have also played to rave reviews this summer.

Croatia, Angola, Brazil, Canada and China complete the women's field.

The first time the Olympics were staged in London, the USA men claimed gold.

Let the Games begin.

FIBA