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The London Olympics were a benchmark for women, especially U.S. women. But what does that mean beyond the Games? For two team sports, the hope and expectation is their accomplishments in London will be a springboard to something more.

Winning a fifth consecutive gold medal wasn't easy for Candace Parker and the U.S. women's basketball team. It just looked that way.

Lauren Jackson has done all she can to try to lead Australia to Olympic glory. But in a matchup most didn't expect to see until the gold-medal game, toppling Team USA in the semifinals is a tall order for the Aussies.

Never mind the debate between Kobe and Barkley. The U.S. women are the real Dream Team of the London Games, dispatching opponents by an average of 37.6 points a game.

Canada came out with a great game plan, trying to slowing down games with a deliberate offense. Trouble was, it didn't make any difference against the U.S. women, who put the clamps on Canada's top scoring threats.

Russia, Australia and now France are all quality teams. But the U.S. women's basketball team, with its depth of talent, remains a very heavy favorite in the Olympics.

The opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games has begun.

Iziane Castro Marques was removed from Brazil's Olympic women's basketball team Friday after violating a team rule.

Diana Taurasi and the U.S. women's basketball team feel a little overlooked.

Diana Taurasi is healthy again and raring to go.

In case you were out living a life of leisure, here's what you missed in sports on Thursday. Blake Griffin tore his meniscus at a Team USA scrimmage and will miss the Olympic Games in London. Which is particularly sad when you consider that, asid...

Now officially on the Olympic roster, Tamika Catchings weighs in on the unnamed 12th team member, and the immense pressure of the Games.

The Minnesota Lynx guard opens her busy year in Valencia, Spain, as she sets her sights on titles in the Euroleague, Spanish League, WNBA and Olympic Games.

Catchings has won gold medals in the last two Olympic Games. Welcome to SportsNation! On Wednesday, reigning WNBA MVP Tamika Catchings of the Indiana Fever stops by to chat about her offseason. Last season, Catchings averaged 15.5 points and 7....

Tulsa Shock coach and five-time Olympian Teresa Edwards will serve as chief of mission for the 2012 U.S. Olympic team in London.

Jessica Mendoza, a two-time Olympic medalist in softball, announced today that she and her 2008 Olympic teammates are leaving the U.S. national team to play exclusively for the National Pro Fastpitch league.