theunsungheroines:U.S. Summer Olympic Women’s Basketball Coach Billie Jean Moore and team memb

theunsungheroines:

U.S. Summer Olympic Women’s Basketball Coach Billie Jean Moore and team member Charlotte Lewis. The 1976 Summer Olympic Games were held in Montreal, Canada. It was the first time women’s basketball was introduced into competition at the Games. On that team was a 6’2” junior from Illinois State who was no stranger to international competition. Peoria native Charlotte Lewis had competed the year before at the 1975 Pan American Games and brought home a gold medal. In order to compete in the 1976 Summer Olympics, the U.S. Women’s team needed to qualify. There were only two spots open but thanks to their 5-0 record at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, the team made it to the Games. Lewis played Center at the Games and played in two of the five matches. The team went 3-2 and brought home the silver medal. #basketball