The head coach of the University of South Carolina Women’s Basketball has gone above and beyond in leading the charge of Team USA’s preparation. Now, she relishes the “presidential” start to the Olympics in Paris. After all, being a part of the Presidential Delegation to attend the opening ceremony of the quadrennial event, led by First Lady Jill Biden herself, comes with its own sets of perks.

After all the hype, the curtain finally rose on the 2024 Paris Olympics, and the journey to the ‘City of Lights’ was no less than phenomenal for Dawn Staley. The head coach added a touch of presidential flair to her Paris arrival and it’s all thanks to Joe Biden. What seems to be a private jet from President Joe Biden’s fleet, Staley shared her incredible experience with the fans on Twitter. “Day 1 was an absolute blast. Candy? Coins? Seals? PJ? Anybody? Only it is PRESIDENTIAL for me,” Staley wrote in a tweet.

She posted a picture of herself standing in front of the Air Force 2, followed by 2 celebratory presidential delegation coins, and two boxes of candy signed by President Joe Biden.

Staley’s Team USA began with the exhibition games and displayed their strength. They dominated Germany, winning big with 84-57. The game showcased the strategic acumen of coach Staley, with Team USA preparing for the Olympic competition. Players like A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart have shown a high level of play under her, and fans eagerly await their performance in the Olympics. Let’s have a look at the teams that the USA will face in the Paris Olympics.

Teams that USA will play against in the Paris Olympics

Team USA is placed in Group C along with Japan, Belgium, and Germany. The Americans will start off their gameplay against Japan on July 29 at Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille, France. Further, they are set to play against Belgium on August 1. Their final game in the group play category will take place against Germany on August 4.

Once the group plays are through, the women’s quarterfinals will be held on August 7 with the semifinals taking place on August 9. And finally, the game that decides which team will take home the gold will take place on August 11.

As action gets underway at the Olympics, Dawn Staley will be instrumental in getting Team USA on the road to success. Staley’s influence stretches beyond the court in terms of leadership. Most players have often spoken about her impact on their careers and have credited her for how far they have come in their professional lives. With Staley at the helm, Team USA is setting up for a strong Olympic campaign, running for yet another gold medal.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us in the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection, Silas Demary Jr.