US Basketball Coaches Not Allowed At Opening Ceremony

The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/us-basketball-coaches-not-allowed-to-march-at-opening-ceremony-of-london-olympics/2012/07/24/gJQAvLwN6W_story.html

Don’t expect to see Geno Auriemma or Mike Krzyzewski marching with the U.S. delegation Friday night at the opening ceremony.

They aren’t allowed because Olympic organizers decided to cut down the number of people marching to shorten the ceremony.

President Obama says he expects the U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team to win the gold medal in London. The President watched the U.S. Team play Brazil in Washington.

“It really was something special to do, but to be honest the Olympics are about the athletes, Auriemma said. No one really remembers who the coaches were. No one remembers who coached Jesse Owens.

“I’m OK with it. The focus is, as it should be, on the athletes. They are the ones who got here and deserve the attention and praise.”

Auriemma has already marched once when he was an assistant for the 2000 women’s basketball team. He has fond memories of the ceremony, walking alongside some of the U.S. greats.

“On one side you have the best swimmers and the other the best track and field stars. It really is something very, very cool, he said.

While the coaching staff is fine with not participating, their athletes were disappointed.

It really is unfortunate that coaches can’t do it, Diana Taurasi said. They put as much, if not more, time into it than we do. They have 12 or 14 hours days, we show up for practice for two or three hours.

“We’ll have to tape that experience for them and let them see it through our eyes.”

U.S. track and field men’s coach Andrew Valmon also won’t be participating in Friday’s ceremony. He marched as an athlete in Barcelona at the 1992 Olympics before helping the 4×400 relay team win a gold medal. He’d much rather see someone go who hasn’t had the chance to experience it.

US Basketball Coaches Not Allowed At Opening Ceremony

The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/us-basketball-coaches-not-allowed-to-march-at-opening-ceremony-of-london-olympics/2012/07/24/gJQAvLwN6W_story.html

Don’t expect to see Geno Auriemma or Mike Krzyzewski marching with the U.S. delegation Friday night at the opening ceremony.

They aren’t allowed because Olympic organizers decided to cut down the number of people marching to shorten the ceremony.

President Obama says he expects the U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team to win the gold medal in London. The President watched the U.S. Team play Brazil in Washington.

“It really was something special to do, but to be honest the Olympics are about the athletes, Auriemma said. No one really remembers who the coaches were. No one remembers who coached Jesse Owens.

“I’m OK with it. The focus is, as it should be, on the athletes. They are the ones who got here and deserve the attention and praise.”

Auriemma has already marched once when he was an assistant for the 2000 women’s basketball team. He has fond memories of the ceremony, walking alongside some of the U.S. greats.

“On one side you have the best swimmers and the other the best track and field stars. It really is something very, very cool, he said.

While the coaching staff is fine with not participating, their athletes were disappointed.

It really is unfortunate that coaches can’t do it, Diana Taurasi said. They put as much, if not more, time into it than we do. They have 12 or 14 hours days, we show up for practice for two or three hours.

“We’ll have to tape that experience for them and let them see it through our eyes.”

U.S. track and field men’s coach Andrew Valmon also won’t be participating in Friday’s ceremony. He marched as an athlete in Barcelona at the 1992 Olympics before helping the 4×400 relay team win a gold medal. He’d much rather see someone go who hasn’t had the chance to experience it.