• Where: Olympic Softball Stadium at Helliniko Olympic Complex. • When: Aug. 14-23. • Medals: Women's team competition. • Outlook: U.S. team will again be prohibitive favorite to win third straight gold. Led by three-time Olympian Lisa Fernandez, biggest challenge for the Americans could come from themselves. U.S. team took a 110-game winning streak to Sydney before losing three straight and nearly missing medal round. The Americans recovered to win gold. The U.S. team's pitching staff of Fernandez, Jennie Finch, Lori Harrigan and Cat Osterman is unmatched. Australia, China and Canada will also be in medal hunt. This competition is crucial for the future of women's softball as an Olympic sport. The IOC has only guaranteed it a spot through the 2008 Beijing Games and will make another review later this summer.
_____ On Our Site _____
• An interactive guide to the equipment, techniques and rules for softball at the Olympic Games. • U.S. roster
Softball
