US (sliding) vs. Australia in 1996 from Sydney Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (www.olympics.com)

U.S. Women's Softball Team
"Up to Bat for Second Gold"

Women's softball made its Olympic debut in 1996, with the US women bringing home the gold. This year's Olympics will see the same number of competing teams, all with the goal to upset the US champion team. Australia, Canada, Japan, China, New Zealand, Cuba, Italy, and the US will play each other one time before the top four teams advance to the semifinals and finals. The US team has the potential to dominate the matches with the help of Lisa Fernandez, one of the best softball players in history. To her team's competitors, Fernandez offers this warning, "We're here to play ball. It's what we do best and we're determined to be best at it."

[Media sources: Sydney Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (http://www.olympics.com)]