The BBC Programme “World Have Your Say” dedicated a segment to athletes who renounced their allegiance to their home countries in order to play their favourite sports in the Beijing Summer Olympics. One of the athletes who did that was the South Dakota Native who played basketball for the WNBA [Women’s National Basketball Association] and was named the All American. Her name is Becky Hammon. Becky Hammon has paid a price in being criticized by the WNBA Elite including a certain Anne Donovan [with her antiquated Cold War accusations of treason even though she is Coach of the US Women’s Basketball Team].
Becky Hammon was born on the Eleventh of March in the year 1977 and started her basketball career playing in the Rapid City Stevens High School Raiders. During her years with the Rapid City Stevens High School Raiders, Becky Hammon was named South Dakota Ms. Basketball in 1994 as well as Gatorade South Dakota Player of the Year in 1995.
After graduating from Rapid City Stevens High School Raiders, Becky Hammon went to Colorado State University. During her time at Colorado State University, Becky Hammon was one of the people instrumental in its first NCAA Tournament Appearance in 1997 followed by the Sweet Sixteen Appearance in 1999. Her list of accomplishments at Colorado State University includes the following within the category of offence: two thousand seven hundred and forty points, 21.9 points per game, nine hundred and eighteen field goals, and five hundred and thirty eight assists.
Becky Hammon finished her studies and basketball career at Colorado State University and became a member of the New York Liberty. Becky Hammon was able to participate in every playoff and two WNBA Championships [1999, 2002] during her association with the New York Liberty before switching to the San Antonio Spurs. Becky Hammon has been involved in Cervical Cancer Awareness with the WNBA, and raised funds for Katrina Victims [American Red Cross] in the Television Game Show programme called Wheel of Fortune.
Becky Hammon wanted to compete in the Beijing Olympics 2008 playing basketball. Becky Hammon went through the motions by consulting and practicing in all of the tryouts for the US Basketball Team. Becky Hammon was not good enough in the eyes of one of the elite of the US Women Basketball Team called Ann Donovan. After receiving all of the rejection slips from the US Basketball Team, Becky Hammon decided to practice globalization and play for the Russian Basketball Team. Becky Hammon also signed a contract in which she could play for a Russian Basketball Team. Ann Donovan and many so called people who use patriotism to hide their Cold War fantasies called her a traitor.
I consider Becky Hammon an American Hero who wants to live the American Dream of playing basketball. I would like to defend the decision of Becky Hammon to play in the Olympics for Russia. The Olympics is about participating in sports without the politics and ideologies ruining the game. It is unfortunate that a group of people have to ruin what should be the historical sporting event for the year 2008. It is also fashionable in this ever globalizing world that players can cross frontiers and play for other teams without sacrificing their loyalty to their country.
It is not the fault of Becky Hammon that she wants to play basketball for the Olympics. It is her right and if a team has signed her to a contract to play then it would be good for her and for the United States of America as a whole. Maybe the Anne Donovan’s of the day may get away with their comments because of the envy they carry within them but in the end, Becky Hammon will carry the day.
I would like to predict that in five decades when the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics is in the history book, Becky Hammon will be remembered in a stamp in the United States Postal Service for her services to basketball and to her nation regardless of whether she played in the United States of America or the Russian Federation.
I would also like to take advantage and criticize some of the members of sports associations in America who actually sign talent from other countries and resolve their paperwork while the local talent in America remains on the sidelines. The United States of America accepts sports personalities from other countries yet Anne Donovan appears to practice what is sheer hypocrisy. The United States Women Basketball Team should take a look at their way of recruiting their athletes for the Olympics. After all, it is not fair that the best in the majority of cases are not accepted or are sidelined.
My advice to the Anne Donovan’s in the United States Women Basketball Society and in America is the following: the Cold War is over, the Olympics are a Sporting Event, and Becky Hammon is a jewel that the United States did not appreciate. If you do not like the idea, just state your opinion and reason or forever hold your piece. I wish Becky Hammon the best in her endeavors. She remains in my heart and soul the top 2008 WNBA Basketball Player as well as the All American and South Dakotan girl who has managed to conquer the world. I also give her a Gold Medal for being the True All American.
http://www.boston.com/sports/articles/2008/08/04/crossing_a_border/?page=2
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/stevekelley/2004455887_kelley04.html
El Noticiero de Alvarez Galloso 