Local News
Olympics: Eyes turning toward the Games
del.icio.us
Digg
NewsVine
FarkRAPID CITY — Those who support Becky Hammon’s decision to play for the Russian National women’s basketball team in the Beijing Olympic games also admit their overall interest in the games, which start Friday in China, would have been heightened if the former Rapid City resident was playing for Team USA.
Hammon is a former standout for Rapid City Stevens. She signed a free agent contract with the WNBA out of Colorado State.
As a pro, she has made a name for herself as one of the top point guards in the league during eight years with the New York Liberty and the past two seasons with the San Antonio Silver Stars.
But controversy ensued when Hammon, who plays off-season basketball with the Russian team CSKA, decided to seek an opening on the Russian national team for the 2008 Olympics when American coaches didn’t include Hammon on the Team USA roster.
In spite of Hammon being shunned by Team USA, many echoed the sentiments of U.S. Olympic coach Anne Donovan, when Hammon decided to play for Russia.
Donovan told ESPN’s Mark Schwarz, “If you play in this country, live in this country, and you grow up in the heartland and you put on a Russian uniform, you are not a patriotic person in my mind.”
Don Kopp of Rapid City said politics isn’t the issue, and that he supports Hammon’s decision.
“This has nothing to do with patriotism,” Kopp said. “She just loves to play basketball.”
Don and his wife, Joann, are close neighbors of the Hammons.
“We’ve known Becky since she was born,” Don said. “Our kids and the Hammon’s kids grew up together.”
Kopp said he was angered that the U.S. team didn’t pick Hammon, and his plans to watch Olympic coverage will include Hammon’s Olympic experience.
“What little (coverage) there will probably be, I’ll follow,” he said.
Other’s echoed Kopp’s opinion.
“I’m disappointed that Becky Hammon is not on the USA team,” said John Feehan, of Rapid City, and a student at the University of Wyoming.
“She gets paid more money to play in Russia than she does in the WNBA. I understand totally where she’s coming from, said Feehan, who added that he was also angered by Donovan’s comments on ESPN.
Kris Ewing, of Rapid City, also empathizes with Hammon’s decision.
“I’m on her side,” said Ewing, “But if she was playing for this country, I’d have a lot more interest.”
Kopp said he also has an interest in Team USA going for a fourth-straight gold medal in women’s softball.
“I’ve always liked fast-pitch softball,” he said. “When I was growing up, it was the men that played fast-pitch. Now the women play fast-pitch and men play slow-pitch.”
Feehan also plans to closely monitor the happenings in Beijing.
“I’ll be following the professional sports, mainly basketball and tennis,” said Feehan, a former tennis player for Rapid City Stevens High School now attending the University of Wyoming.
“I’m looking forward to seeing (swimmer) Michael Phelps sweep because he’s that good,” Feehan said. “I’ll follow the USA basketball team more, because USA men’s tennis isn’t that good.”
Ewing of Rapid City said her ability to pay attention to the Olympics is limited.
“It’s been such a busy summer. I really don’t have the time,” said Ewing, after completing a noon-hour exercise walk at Sioux Park Monday.
“I’ll have to catch the highlights.”
However, what interests Ewing more are stories away from the professional athletes who will likely dominate the headlines coming out of Beijing.
Ewing pointed to a story by sport columnist Mitch Albom “My Favorite Olympic Moments’ in Sunday’s Parade magazine supplement in the Journal.
“I like the stories that aren’t a lot in the news,” she said.
Lois Rossum, of Rapid City, said her interest in the games centers on her two grandsons living in Denver who have made competing in Olympics skateboarding their goal.
Skateboarding makes its Olympic debut at the London games in 2012.
“I’ll definitely be watching,” she said.
Rossum also supports Hammon.
“I really can’t blame her for that (decision),” she said.
South Dakota native and Russia guard Becky Hammon warms up with her team before a basketball game between the United States and Russia at the Women's Diamond Ball Basketball tournament, a warm up for the Olympics, in Haining, China, on Monday. Hammon wasn't in the 29 player pool used to select the U.S. Olympic team. So she chose another option: playing for Russia. The U.S. beat Russia 93-58. (The Associated Press)
The opinions above are from readers of rapidcityjournal.com and in no way represent the views of the Rapid City Journal or Lee Enterprises.
Rapidcityjournal.com provides this community forum for readers to exchange ideas and opinions on the news of the day. Passionate views, pointed criticism and critical thinking are welcome. Name-calling, crude language and personal abuse are not welcome. Moderators will monitor comments with an eye toward maintaining a high level of civility in this forum. Our comment policy explains the rules of the road for registered commenters.
If you don't see your comment, perhaps...
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy