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Friday, January 13, 2006

Storm's Donovan to direct U.S. bid for Olympic gold

By MARK BERGIN
SPECIAL TO THE POST-INTELLIGENCER

When Storm coach Anne Donovan learned of her chance to coach the senior national team for the next three years, including a potential visit to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, she had one question: "Are you sure?"

USA Basketball president Val Ackerman appeared more than sure at a news conference Thursday, calling Donovan a "terrific ambassador for women's basketball" and "the perfect choice" to lead the U.S. team's campaign for a fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal.

Donovan's involvement with USA Basketball spans 19 national teams dating to 1977, when she was 15.

"I bleed red, white and blue," Donovan said. "I'm a red-blooded American that absolutely has a complete passion for the flag and what we represent."

Donovan will have input into which players the USA Basketball committee selects, the final determination of a 12-woman roster expected to come in August. Storm guard Sue Bird is likely to be included.

A core of probable candidates to make the team will begin practicing in March and April. Donovan expects to hold those workouts in Europe to accommodate the bulk of players participating in European professional leagues.

Storm training camp is slated to open in April before the season begins May 21 at KeyArena against the Los Angeles Sparks. Donovan does not anticipate scheduling conflicts between her twofold duties -- nor does she expect any decline in her commitment to the Storm.

"As always, I'll have to manage my time very closely," she said. "But I also believe that every experience helps me the next time. Whether it's with USA Basketball or Seattle, every day I'm striving to be a better coach. So this international experience will certainly help me to grow as a coach and get better at what I do."

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