
What Diana Taurasi’s injury means for the Mercury’s playoff hopes
The Mercury need to win their final three games to control their playoff fate.
When the Opening Ceremonies begin on Friday, July 23 more than 230 of the 613 athletes representing the United States will be walking.
Leading them will be none other than four-time Olympic gold medalist Sue Bird.
What better way to start your fifth Olympic Games than as @TeamUSA's Opening Ceremony Flag Bearer!
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 21, 2021
Congratulations 🐐 @S10Bird! Sue joins @dawnstaley as USA Basketball's only flag bearers in Olympic history. pic.twitter.com/IwAYRdyONA
The 40-year-old made her Olympic debut at Athens in 2004. Since then, she has won four-straight Olympic gold medals and is in pursuit of her fifth alongside teammate Diana Taurasi.
She becomes just the second Team USA basketball flag bearer in history alongside now-coach Dawn Staley.
Bird, alongside baseball player Eddy Alvarez, were chosen by a vote of fellow Team USA athletes. It’s the first time two athletes will be walking for the United States rather than just one. In 2016, 23-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps was elected as the flag bearer for the United States.
The Opening Ceremonies are set to begin at 7 a.m. ET on NBC.
The Mercury need to win their final three games to control their playoff fate.
Phoenix loses Taurasi in the midst of a playoff chase.
In 21 years, Bird has found her voice and helped change WNBA culture.
Dallas and New York tip off at 8 p.m. ET.
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