American Becky Hammon of the WNBA's San Antonio Silver Stars will play for the Russians in the Olympics. She was not one of the 23 players invited to try out for the team which makes no sense. I can understand why Hammon would be upset by not being asked to play on the US team. In my opinion, Coach Anne Donovan made a tremendous error in not inviting her to try out.
Hammon also has a multi-million dollar contract to play in Russia. Given that WNBA players do not make much money, I do not begrudge her playing in that league. However, it is my understanding that her financial incentives are not tied to competing for Russia in the Olympics.
With that in mind, her accepting Russian citizenship and playing for the them in the Olympics is her choice, a choice she has because she enjoys that freedom as an American. Once she walks into the stadium under the Russian flag, she will lose my respect forever. Perhaps I am from another era, but for an American to wear a Russian jersey in the Olympics smells like betrayal.
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