The US enters the 2008 Beijing Olympics desperate to achieve a gold medal in Basketball. The men’s team haven’t won gold in any world Basketball competition since the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The US, China, Spain, Argentina and Greece all hope to achieve a podium finish but the US seem to be the favourites to win gold. China has two 7ft stars in Yi Jianlian and Yao Ming (regarded by many as the best centre in the world), but will undoubtedly rely too heavily on them to achieve a medal. Current world champions Spain and silver medallists Greece will also enter the tournament with high expectations. However the Americans look formidable as they approach the Olympics and their recent form has been imperious as they convincingly defeated Russia, Lithuania and Turkey. The recent form of Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, two of the world’s best players, will also offer the US plenty of encouragement.

The women’s competition will be see the US, Australia and Russia battle it out for the top podium finish with the gold likely going to either Australia or the US. A US-Australia final would prove a fantastic spectacle as the current World Champions Australia look to Lauren Jackson (regarded as the best female player in the world) to help them defeat the star-studded American team which includes the likes of Candace Parker and Diana Taurasi.