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August 12, 2004
• Athens, Greece
Staley to Carry the Flag
On being selected to carry the flag into
the Olympic stadium:
It's a tremendous honor. It's something that you don't plan for,
it caught me extremely off guard. You don't work to be a flag bearer of
the U.S. delegation. It's something that caught me tremendously off guard.
I went (to the U.S. team captains' meeting) representing the women's basketball
and men's basketball teams. My teammates nominated me to carry the flag
and I didn't know exactly what that meant. Although I did attend the captains'
meeting in 2000. I heard everybody's stories about why they should do
it. My teammates nominated me, but I didn't think anything of it. I didn't
think I had to stand up and talk about myself. I felt a little bit uncomfortable,
but I felt I'd be remiss if I didn't (take my teammates' nomination seriously.)
I'm very emotional about it. It is something that you don't dream about,
it happens. It's something that somehow ended up in my lap. I will do
it proudly and honorably.
What did you tell the other captains about
yourself?
I told them that I was a three-time Olympian, two-time gold medalist.
I coach at Temple University and I founded the Dawn Staley Foundation
that influences inner-city youths' lives on a daily basis in Philadelphia.
We have an after school program that has run since ‘96, since I received
my gold medal. I wanted to somehow instill a positivity, instill a passion
to some other little girl or little boy who looks like me. Who might not
have had a whole lot of opportunity. I think that the captains of each
team that represented their areas really could relate to giving back to
their community. I don't think it was anything I've done on the basketball
court. I think it was all about helping others achieve their goals and
their dreams and creating a positive atmosphere.
Can you even imagine what you'll be thinking
when you walk into the stadium?
I really don't. I can probably relate best to my experience carrying
the torch up the Philadelphia Art Museum steps (during the ‘96 Olympic
Torch Relay). But to be here ... I've experienced Opening Ceremonies as
one of 500-some odd athletes, but to lead the U.S. delegation into the
stadium... I know I'm going to have the strength to do it because it's
an honor. It's incredible. I'm looking forward to it. It might be an out
of body experience. I will certainly do it with dignity because of that.
I will carry it. I will carry the hopes and dreams of all the little girls
and boys who feel their situations are bleak. It's bigger than me just
carrying the torch, it's a tremendous honor.
Who have you told and what were their reactions?
They really don't know yet. I have to make a few phone calls after
this. I've had to keep it on the quiet tip. I'm tremendously honored.
Philadelphia has always embraced me and I know I will make them proud.
Who will you call first and why?
I definitely will have to call my mother. She is someone, if I
made that call before now, the entire world will know (laughs). She has
been my rock. She has provided, she has sacrificed her needs to give me
my once. I can never repay her and the only thing she wants is to be the
first to know. And I'll make sure she is that if you guys don't tell (laughs).
On the security concerns of some athletes:
As an athlete, you're concerned. But I'm quite sure that no U.S.
Olympian would be here if everyone around us felt that it was not safe
for us to be here. I'm one of 500 or so U.S. athletes who will be competing.
We all feel that it's a safe place to be. We all feel that our government
and the Greek government will do everything they can to ensure our athletes
are safe. We will press on and do what we came here to do.
On the reception she anticipates for the
American flag:
I'm a proud American. I can't control how other people see us.
I know that my life has been tremendous in our country. There have been
decisions made that are outside my control. I love the country that I
live in. On Friday evening I will walk into that stadium as proud as proud
can be to be representing the United States. Other people who look at
it will know that I do it with dignity.
Who did you vote for to carry the flag?
I actually voted for Kevin Hall. He's part of the sailing team
and he's been stricken with cancer. He still has it. He didn't know he
was going to be part of the Olympic team until a month ago because he's
taking some kind of medication that prohibited him from doing certain
things. He got my vote.
On the women's team's eagerness to play in
the Olympics:
For us as women, the Olympic experience is the pinnacle of our careers.
We've played for different professional leagues at one time or another,
but this has always been the pinnacle of our career. The very best level
of basketball you can play. For us, we always try to put ourselves in
the position to be an Olympian. We never waiver. I've made a lot of calls
this year to find out where people were, and nobody has every said they
were not going to go. There were some concerns, but not enough concerns
to not come to Greece and compete. I'm proud of that.
In previous Opening Ceremonies did you ever
look around and wonder what the other flag bearers were thinking?
I did not. But now I wish I had (laughs). I probably would have
more to say. I voted for a flag bearer in 2000. I heard all the inspirational
stories. I could sit here and say that all 14 people who were nominated
were all equally deserving of this... I will do it with dignity and I
will do it for all the other 13 nominees.
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