While Team USA men's basketball is on a winning streak that most sports fans believe will take them to yet another gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, many are also wondering whether or not it will be the last run of its kind. The team is comprised of NBA All-Stars and has been since the Dream Team in 1992, but rumors have been floating that an age cap could kill things and make the Americans far less dominating.
Apparently that's now being challenged or at least postponed long enough to give Team USA another run in Rio in 2016. Sports Illustrated's Ian Thomsen has the story:
It had been assumed that the new rule would take effect in 2016, which would have made these Olympics the last to feature teams led by the biggest NBA stars. The upcoming Olympic final four of the U.S. vs. Argentina and Spain vs. Russia -- which will conclude with the gold-medal final Sunday -- was being viewed as the likely culmination of the highly successful era that began with the original Dream Team's appearance at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.
But the source stressed that quick action on an age limitation is highly unrealistic for FIBA. Passage of the new rule will require the ratification of 213 national basketball federations around the world -- the sporting equivalent of the United Nations. The involvement of the IOC will further complicate the talks.
This year's team is incredibly young and should be able to retain many of its stars -- from LeBron James to Kevin Durant - in 2016.
For the latest on the 2012 Olympics, check out SB Nation's dedicated Olympics hub.
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