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August
13 , 2004 • Athens,
Spain
 USA
head coach Van Chancellor (Houston Comets)
Speaking about sleeping at night, what about your experience last
night at Opening Ceremonies?
Ohhhh, that was as long as I have ever seen anything
that I thought was good in my life. I got back to the boat at 2:30 p.m.,
I had not eaten since about 3:00 p.m. and had a cheeseburger, which I
don't ever eat cheeseburgers, I jump into bed and I want to say in about
30 seconds after I got into bed I was sound to sleep. I was so tired,
that was the most tired I've ever been since I worked in a cotton field
in Mississippi as a boy.
If you had to do it over again, would you?
Oh yeah I want to because that thrill of walking in, you don't
have that in a lifetime. The lighting of the torch and all of that, yeah,
I'd do that again.
What did you feel like when you were on the
field, or marching in?
That's really, really a hard time to really, really describe because
it's magical. It's almost like being a kid at the magical kingdom. When
you go in all the glitter and all those lights are on and you walk out
there for the first time and you've got USA and Olympic teams there, it
kind of takes your breath away. It's kind of like ‘Oh my goodness
I'm here.' It's kind of breathtaking because its one of those times when
you're out marching with all people from different countries, it's just
breathtaking, it is the most exhilarating experience for a person that
has never been around something like this, this is my first one.
I had to wear a hat that had USA on it and its not made for me. Let me
tell you this story. Last night when I put it (the hat) on over at the
village, the first player I saw with me wearing it she just busted out
laughing. The second player just busted out laughing. So I said okay guys
you get one last treat. Tamika Catchings had not seen me, she came around
the corner about 30 minutes later and just busted out laughing. I said
‘that's it, no more' (laughing).
 Sue
Bird (Seattle Storm)
It was great. We had a lot fun. I wouldn't trade anything in the
world for that experience. Just walking in with all the Americans, looking
up and seeing people cheering. Just the entire experience, Even the athletes,
we were all chanting USA, USA. The feeling that we are all in this together
was a very proud moment for me.
 Shannon
Johnson (San Antonio Silver Stars)
It was very exciting getting to see all the different athletes,
first going through processing and getting all their clothes and then
at the Opening Ceremonies where everybody looks the same. It's a lot of
fun We're all on the same team with the same goals. It's a lot of fun
to go out there and see everything, it's exciting that we;re here in Athens.
Does it feel a little more ‘official'
now that you've gone through the first couple of days with processing,
your press conference and then the Opening Ceremonies?
Yes, yes it does. To see everybody out there and knowing they all
have the same goals of winning a gold medal, makes it all real.
Lisa Leslie (Los Angeles Sparks)
It was amazing. It was beautiful. The people here in Greece have
been wonderful. The ceremonies were really nice. Long, and with a lot
of standing and I am kind of surprised that we came out today and played
this well today. I really liked when the people were running across the
sky - that was really beautiful. I also especially liked when the torch
was lit, the way it was lowered and then raised. It was special. It hits
you, like, wow, we are at the Olympic Games and let the games begin. It
was beautiful.
 Diana
Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury)
It was pretty wild. You see all the people, the lights, the fireworks
and all the other athletes. You think about all the other times when you
used to watch it. Now, to be there, it is such an amazing moment.
Was there another athlete that you really
wanted to meet?
I told everyone that I wanted a picture with one person the whole
trip and that was Manu Ginobili. It got it early in the day, so that made
my Olympics. Now all I need is the medal and I'll be happy.
 Tina
Thompson (Houston Comets)
Wow, that was unbelievable. Long, but unbelievable. I mean, that's
what it is all about. To have that many athletes from so many countries
here for the Olympic Games was incredible. This is my first Olympics and
it was pretty overwhelming.
 Dawn
Staley (Charlotte Sting)
You can almost compare it to getting married. Like walking down
the aisle, an aisle that's long. It was exhilarating, overwhelming, nervous,
emotional. I mean all of those things together. But most of all I was
proud. I was truly proud and honored to carry the American flag.
You anticipate going into the stadium, I was extremely nervous but certainly
proud I had that honor. It's definitely exhilarating. I didn't know how
the fans would react (as the U.S. marched in), but we had a lot of fans
in there. It felt like home. I'm very proud to have had my team behind
me. The team captains were also behind me. I enjoyed it. I wish I had
another opportunity to do it.
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