SWEEPING UP: Forget the guys with baggy shorts and bulging bank accounts. The real Dream Team could be the U.S. women's triathlon team.
The top three U.S. athletes also happen to be the top three in the world in International Triathlon Union rankings.
Barb Lindquist, Laura Reback and Sheila Taormina cornered the top three spots after Taormina moved into third place past Australia's Michellie Jones this month.
Of the three, Taormina is the only returning Olympic athlete. The United States failed to win a medal when the triathlon made its Olympic debut as a medal event in Sydney in 2000. Taormina placed sixth.
Reback, from North Palm Beach, began moving up in the world rankings after winning the St. Anthony's World Cup last year in St. Petersburg.
Reback is engaged to Australia's Greg Bennett, the No. 1 male triathlete in the world. Orlando's Hunter Kemper is the highest-rated U.S. male at No. 11.
The U.S. Olympic team will be chosen based on results from three events in Hawaii, Portugal and Washington in the next three months.
EARNING THEIR WEIGHTS: It's not yet a complete group, but the U.S. boxing team is getting there.
Seven U.S. boxers earned a place in Athens during the America's qualifier last week in Tijuana, Mexico. Heavyweight Devin Vargas could earn an eighth invitation by beating Jason Douglas of Canada this weekend.
Two other U.S. boxers will get second chances at a final qualifier next month in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
MY BIG FAT GREEK OLYMPICS: No wonder the folks in Athens are having such a difficult time getting venues ready. The last time the Olympics were held in Athens, in 1906, there were 847 athletes representing 20 nations. This summer, a record 202 nations are expected to participate with more than 10,000 athletes.
THE SHAQ SCHTICK: When it was announced Larry Brown would coach the U.S. Olympic team, it was assumed Shaquille O'Neal would not be a part of the show. O'Neal insisted he would not go to Athens unless Lakers coach Phil Jackson was in charge.
Two years later, O'Neal might be softening his stance. The USA Basketball committee reportedly sent invitations to O'Neal and Kevin Garnett last week.
O'Neal, who won a gold medal at the Atlanta Olympics but skipped Sydney, said several factors would have to be weighed. The decision could come down to how far the Lakers advance in the NBA playoffs and how his health holds up.
If O'Neal commits to the team, the Lakers could potentially have three Olympians. Or they might end up with none. Kobe Bryant and Karl Malone previously had accepted invitations, but Bryant's sexual assault trial could keep him away, and Malone said his knee would have to be completely healed.
NO SHAME HERE: The USF softball team was shut out by the U.S. Olympic team in an exhibition game two weeks ago in Clearwater.
Turns out, USF is in good company.
The USF game was the third of 12 consecutive shutouts for the United States. On the Aiming for Athens tour, the USA is 23-0 and has outscored opponents 212-8.
The Olympic team should have its toughest games next weekend against No. 1 Arizona and No. 2 UCLA.
- Compiled by John Romano from staff and wire reports.
