This is a tough one. When it's all said and done, Hammon is now a Russian citizen, so she should be free to represent that country. What bothers me as an American, and what may bother some Russians, is that Hammon is only a citizen of that country because she wants to participate in the Olympics.

I think what disturbs me the most here is that Hammon wanted to play for the U.S. team. For whatever reason, she didn't make it, and I hate the feeling that she went out and became a citizen of the first country that would welcome her. She has no familial tie to Russia - why should she represent the country?

I also don't like that she's going to take a roster spot away from someone who may have grown up in Russia or legitimately is part of that nation's heritage. The Olympics is a special, personal event and should not reflect the free agency we see in professional sports.

I mostly agree with Josh. I've been a big fan of Becky's for years, but to me this just doesn't go down well with me.

Sure, she's upset that she wasn't picked for the USA team... but there are many great basketball players in the US, and every Olympics some very talented, accomplished players are left off because there are only so many spots on the squad.

A correction to something Josh said:
"When it's all said and done, Hammon is now a Russian citizen, so she should be free to represent that country."
Hammon did not give up her US citizenship to play on the Russian team, as far as I know; it's just that now she has dual citizenship. I doubt she has any intention of moving to Russia or living there, except for during the basketball season.

And that's probably the main reason Hammon chose Russia to play for: she's been playing in a Russian basketball league for the last few years (during the WNBA's off season). That and the fact that Russia has a good chance of medaling in the Olympics.

Some people say that this is no different from athletes like Hakeen Olajuwon getting U.S. citizenship and then playing on the US basketball team. But that's a totally different situation: Olajuwon (and many other athletes) had decided to leave their original countries and make their permanent home in the US. As far as I know, Olajuwon still lives in the US.

As Josh says, Hammon and the other two WNBA players seem to have no family connection to Russia; they're just free-agent Olympians. Which is another thing that bothers me: since the Olympics are so much about representing one's country, what does it mean when you become a citizen of, and represent in the Olympics, a country that you have no intention of living in permanently or making your home in?

It would certainly be odd if Russia won the gold medal, and the TV showed Becky Hammon standing at attention on the medal stand as the Russian anthem played.

We accept players from all over the world to play and earn a big pay check in many sports in our country; which this money is sent back to their homeland to help their families. Nothing wrong with this. I see nothing wrong with an American playing for another country to earn the Glory of playing in Olympics...the greatest opportunity and dream of anyone. Don't assume what Hammon's motives are or ever doubt her love for the USA. Remember we come from a Free Country with Free Choices.

I agree with r whelen. With the practice of allowing US Olympic teams to have emigrating athletes, why shouldn't she be allowed to? As long as she follows whatever country's eligibility, it's a matter for her, and them.

I must agree with r whelen. Why the double standard? Or is it because she is a woman? It shouldn't matter. Bottom line: Her dream is to play in the Olympics and the U.S. did not choose her. Therefore, she is going where she can get that opportunity to play. And if I am not mistaken, she already had a commitment to play in Russia (within a few months) and her exclusion from the U.S. team allowed Russia to make her an offer and expedite citizenship to make it happen. We've done that many times in the past (figure skating, track and field, swimming and gymnastics just to name a few). Remember we did not mind using Russia's Gymnastic coach (to coach our 1996,2000,2004 Olympic team) when it suited our needs. I'm sure Russia had a few choice words for the U.S. when we hired their most celebrated coach and won the gold medal in Atlanta, GA.

Considering Becky's impressive basketball skills Russia would be foolish not to want her on their team. Anyway, she should have made the first short list for the U.S. Olympic Basketball team if they were serious about her playing. Hearing the U.S. Coach call her a traitor shows you just how hateful people can be when they don't want to admit their mistakes. The coach needs to suck it up and take it like a woman.

I wish Becky the very best.

Having watched and followed Becky at CSU throughout her college career, I not only witnessed her extraordinary talent, but also her impressive character. There is no way anyone who knows her would question her patriotism. She and her family represent all that is right about our country. Becky's values are manifested on a daily basis, and I would have been proud for her to represent our country. However, in spite of her collegiate and professional record which clearly put her amongst the elite players in the sport, she wasn't given an opportunity to try out. I will root wholeheartedly for the U.S. team, but hope for Becky to have terrific performances for her team along the way.

Good for Becky. Its a ball game - playing is what counts. There is way too much of this - we are no 1 stuff - more people have become US citizens to play in the Olympics than any other country in the world. I hope she has a great time.

First off, the players who come here and play for us stay here and this becomes their permanent home. Second, the world championships are just ball games, we are talking about the Olympics, once every four years and you are remembered forever either for winning or losing. You are wearing the red white and blue, I don’t really care what she has done in the past or the present but to let your country down due to selfish interests is a shame. If she wears their colors and plays for them tell her to stay over there for good and tell us how good it is. This is repulsive.

I have to agree with a little bit of what everyone is saying. I myself have ignored the women’s teams in all the Olympics of my short life (16) because I didn’t think there was anything special to watch (excluding gymnastics/figure skating/beach volley ball. But by doing research and by spending time I have realized that the Olympics especially the 2008 Beijing Olympics is about representing your nations flag. So in those terms Becky was wrong. Eric is right in that this event is special you play because you are the best of the best and basketball being a team sport talent is not enough. None of you know her. What if in real life she doesn't get along well with others. What if shes cocky or what if she and a few other girls have a beef. Personality is a big part of the selection process. Now personally if she doesn't care about the national stuff and she just wants to put her face in the magazines for winning then that’s fine that’s her own personal choice but I agree with Eric in that she should not come back and claim the red white and blue she should stay. Athletes that come over here are almost 100% still American citizens. Since the beginning of time we have been the country that takes in the unwanted or the abused or the left out. WE are the big brother country that every other country hates. We have all ways taken people in so it’s not uncommon in any way it’s in our history what other country can say the same? But Becky is not respecting our soldiers who are fighting in Iraq or the people who believe in patriotism even to a small extent.

go Becky! you will be a stronger player for all your efforts. dual nationality is not so bad. in fact it opens up the mind - draw strength from that and embrace your second country. put forth equal effort and then some. there is no place like home, but in this crazed world we live in having two homes is better than one. some of us cannot live in the protective bubble without sharing experiences outside and with hope bring it back to cultivate the less open minded inhabitants. russia is a lovely second country. best, midwesterner

Whatever, Americans don't want her, nobody said Russians want her, she is just eligible in Russia

The biggest problem is not Becky Hammon's commitment to playing for Russia (keep in mind Diana Taurausi and Sue Bird also have Russian passports per the Russian league guidelines to keep them from being counted in the league's limit of foreign players). I would imagine Becky's passport is for the same reason that the other two American stars have passports. Good for her to follow her dream and make it happen.

The biggest problem is that FIBA rules allow for participation by a so recently naturalized citizen who has no real connection to the country they represent. Rules of country eligibility are defined by the international governing body which oversees a particular sport. FIBA could prevent recently-naturalized citizens from participating unless they show some sort of life or ancestral tie in the country.

Take the case of Tanith Belbin. She and partner Ben Agosto won silver in ice dancing in Turin in 2002. She was a hastily naturalized U.S. citizen. In this case, it's harder to get U.S. citizenship than Russian, but it was well within the International Skating Union's rules, which are seemingly more stringent than FIBAs.

If you recall the 2004 Greece baseball team. Virtually all were Americans, but each had ancestral ties within two generations to conform to the International Baseball Federation's participation guidelines.

Becky Hammon is simply using the rules to her advantage. It's the rules that are the issue.

If FIBA wants to prevent the Olympic or other major international tournaments from simply becoming a country-for-hire all-star showcase, then it needs to amend its country eligibility rules.

I see no problem with this. In 90s many Russians athletes moved to the states and some of them represented the US in the Olympics (in ice skating for example). There is nothing different here except that the phenomenon is working in an opposite direction now.

All of you who approve Becky's decision are just enablers in the "I don't care what anybody thinks, I'm going to do what I want" mentality that so pervades sports these days. What about losing gracefully and accepting the fact that there are better players than you in the US? And abiding by that decision? Instead, she goes and finds a loophole. If she does win a medal, does that medal mean as much to her? Probably since she doesn't care what the spirit of the rules are.

For the other posters. The people who played for the US from other countries typically move here and make a life here for themselves. They are not mercenaries like Becky.

America gives citizenship to any athlete with a gold medal or world championship. If it works one way, then it should also work the other way.

I just want to start by saying that everybody brought up some good points about this young lady.

I don't have a problem with her following her dreams, but why not wait another four years from now and see if she can make the team then? She is more than young enough to try again and play for the U.S. The spirit of the Olympics is to "represent you country" and not to "represent your country through someone elses counrty". I am proud of my roots, but you will not find me playing for Mexico, Spain or Germany! (Yes, I am a mut!) I am a United States citizen and if I was ever blessed to present my country, I will do it proudly. I think I can forgive this young lady for what she did, but never forget! Oh yeah, how would some of you feel if she helped beat the U.S. for a medal?

Becky is just a mercenary. For the IOC to allow this sort of free-trade makes the Olympics into a glorified pro league as opposed to country versus country Olympic competition.

Heres an opinion from an Aussie
Dont blame Becky Hammon,dont blame Shawn Redhage (An American) for doing the same thing on the Australian mens team or JR Holden for playing for the Russian mens team.
blame FIBA for letting them, they are ballers & they will jump at the chance to play where they can.

Becoming a citizen of another country is not something to be taken lightly; certainly not just to play a game (that is what this is!) It was my understanding that the US did not honor dual citizenship status. If a citizen of the US swears allegiance to another country or potentate, then they could lose their US citizenship. If Russia 'drafted' Becky or other athletes-for-hire, not into a sports league, but their military, would they then run back to America and say they didn't really want to be Russian?

This is America...follow your dreams wherever they lead...isn't that what we believe in? Go girl!

This is the Olympics, as hard as all the athletes train for so long I think everyone that is the best should be able to compete. I simply love to watch in amazement at the ups and downs, happy to see who ever wins and root for the leaders from any country amazed at all they have to overcome to just be there let alone win. Of course I love it when Americans win but it is the Olympics, the worlds best, they should all get a shot regardless of countries, it is an amazing spectacle to watch not to mention the stories behind the Athletes! We have a Political Race here with enough name calling for many life times, I’m happy just to enjoy seeing the world come together and how well they all treat each other. Well, 99% of them. The Games are in China for Gods sake, HOW COOL IS THAT!!!!

I have no problem in this FORMER American playing for Russia. With the condition that since she loves Russia so much, she never again sets foot on American soil.

If the game is more important to her than the country where she was born and raised, then good luck to her and don't come crying to OUR country when the Russians turn on you. You wanted it, you got it! Good riddance.

This is just market economy. United States embrace market economy, where ever there is opportunity, go after it.

She is not joining Russian military or intelligence agency. This is just basketball.

Becky Hammon is practicing the American spirit of "market economy". She is the true American.

If she was playing in a russian league for money, I would agree it is an issue of a market economy. But the olympians are representing a country it is not SUPPOST to be about money, so I still have to think she has betrayed her country.

GET OVER YOURSELVES!!! Donovan didn't want her quit crying in your Cheerios. Donovan had first shot and now she's got something to say because she looks like an idiot. Becky has this chance to play (as her possible last since she is in her 30s). Why is it okay to import other atheletes to this country from China, Africa etc to compete for us but this woman cannot play for someone else? Donovan screwed up, she did this. Put the blame where it goes. As far as patriotism get some perspective; get real and quit globalizing your transparent morals. I am an American and proud of it. Our team passed her over why should she sit on the sideline? If Becky were your daughter you'd have bought an airline ticket and had a very different perspective. it's the good will games for crying out loud! get some good will and quit making this another cold war over a Basketball game. GO BECKY GO !!!

These Hammond apologist make me sick!
Hammond is a selfish mercenary.
Enjoy your rubles Rebekka!

Go Becky,

She should have made the USA team!!! I have no problem with her trying to help a team that appreciates her talent and could use her help!!!
She also has served as a great ambassador for our country.

Go Becky!!!

Nadia Comaneci was Romanian and she is American citizen now. If Nadia has the right to do that, then Becky has the right to Russian. Since she was not stripped off her US citizenship, then she as American as anyone can be.
Then again, if you can accept Arnold as the governor of CA, then it's a double standard to treat Becky as a traitor