Page 24 - Aruba Bank 24 JULY 2015
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SPORTS A19
Thursday 23 July 2015
Americans start looking toward Rio as Pan Am Games wind down
STEPHEN WADE Gold medalist Queen Harrison of the United States, center, silver medalist Tenaya Jones of the the overall count. China
AP Sports Writer United States, left, and bronze medalist Nikkita Holder of Canada pose for photos during the med- had 38 gold and was sec-
TORONTO (AP) — Alan Ash- al ceremony for the women’s 110 meter hurdles at the Pan Am Games Wednesday, July 22, 2015, ond overall. Host nation
ley isn’t paying attention to in Toronto. Brazil won only 17 overall
the medal table at the Pan medals — only three gold
Am Games, but the Ameri- Associated Press — and is hoping to use the
can will be riveted to it at home-nation advantage
next year’s Olympics in Rio anyone else in the 64-year circulated forecasts show in August in Beijing. and win about 30.
de Janeiro. history of the event, so the the United States as a slight “After the world champion- “I think China will be really
Ashley, the chief of sport outcome was expected favorite to finish ahead of ships, everybody will have solid, and I wouldn’t dis-
performance for the United before the games opened China with Russia in third. a better idea of how their count Russia,” Ashley said.
States Olympic Commit- in Canada’s largest city. Ashley said prospects for countries are stacked up “The best I can tell you is
tee, is working the Pan Am Now eyes turn to Brazil, and Rio will be clearer after the against each other,” Ash- that it’s probably similar to
Games like a laboratory: expectations soar. world swimming champi- ley said. London and the horse race
trying out younger athletes, It’s still early, so Ashley de- onships opening this week The United States won the that went on there.”
giving many their first taste clined to make predictions. in Russia, and the track and most gold medals in Lon- The United States needs to
of a large multi-sport event, However, several widely field world championships don with 46, and also led maintain its dominance in
and using the 41-nation swimming and track and
championships to qualify field, and improve in events
some athletes for Rio. like sailing and equestrian,
“I feel an enormous amount which failed to produce
of pressure to deliver for medals in London.
the athletes,” Ashley said The Americans will be
Wednesday in an interview strong in golf, which is re-
with The Associated Press. turning to the Olympics
“It’s their show, they’re the since its last appearance in
ones out there competing. 1904 in St. Louis. The men’s
But we’ve got to do every- field could include the likes
thing within our power to of defending Masters and
make sure they have their U.S. Open champion Jor-
very best day.” dan Spieth, Bubba Watson,
The United States is expect- Dustin Johnson and Rickie
ed to top the medal table Fowler.
when the Pan Am Games The Americans are also
end Sunday, probably just hopeful in rugby sevens,
ahead of host Canada. another new sport with a
The Americans have won wide-open field for both
twice as many medals as men and women.q
Silver has ‘no doubt’ NBA
could see a female head coach
BRIAN MAHONEY tion for hiring her last sea- she’s a top-notch coach Becky Hammon coaches the San Antonio Spurs during an NBA
AP Basketball Writer son as the first full-time fe- and have been willing to summer league basketball game against the New York Knicks
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Adam male assistant in the NBA follow her.” on Saturday, July 11, 2015, in Las Vegas.
Silver has “no doubt” the and putting her in charge Hammon is a former WNBA
NBA could see a day when of its entry in the Vegas star who had been hired by Associated Press
Becky Hammon or another league. Spurs coach Gregg Popo-
woman is a head coach. “No different than for me vich last summer before
The commissioner said in coming up in my career, ending her playing career
Wednesday he had texted unless you’re given those in San Antonio. The Spurs
and emailed with Hammon opportunities, you’re never lost their first game, then
while they were in Las Ve- going to show your abil- won the rest before beat-
gas, where she coached ity to be successful,” Silver ing Phoenix on Monday for
the Spurs to the Summer said. “So I’m enormously the title. Silver had already
League championship proud of her and I’m enor- returned from Las Vegas
Monday night. He praised mously proud of the players but watched the game on
the San Antonio organiza- who’ve quickly seen that NBA TV.q
