HALL OF FAME | Soccer

1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. #9 Mia Hamm (USA)

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SOCCER

Soccer, referred to as football in many countries, is a popular Olympic sport that takes place during the Summer Olympics every four years. Olympic soccer was the first team sport introduced into the Olympic program and has been part of every Olympics since 1908, except for the 1932 Los Angeles Games. The United States won silver and bronze in Olympic soccer at the St. Louis Games in 1904, which are the only medals won by American men.

The Atlanta 1996 Games saw the debut of women’s soccer at the Olympics. The U.S. women’s soccer team won the gold medal. In the Athens 2004 Games, the U.S. women’s soccer team reclaimed the gold it lost at the 2000 Sydney Games. The team brought home the gold again at the Beijing 2008 Games. Notable athletes in women’s soccer include Shannon MacMillan, Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy and Joy Fawcett.

Soccer Hall of Famers

Women's Olympic Soccer Team

1996 Women’s Soccer Team

Women’s soccer was added to the Olympic Games for the first time ever and while it was only an eight-team competition, it was a rousing success capped by the U.S. 2-1 victory over China in the gold-medal game.

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Kristine Lilly

Kristine Lilly played 354 games in a U.S. uniform and won two Olympic gold medals and one silver. Lilly scored goals in three consecutive games at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

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Mia Hamm | Women's Olympic Soccer Team Atlanta 1996

Mia Hamm

After World Cup success, Hamm and the U.S. won gold medals in the 1996 and 2000 Olympics, and a silver in 2004. She is included in FIFA’s Top 100 Players in the World.

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Notable moments

The United States' women's teams enjoyed resounding success at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games, capturing the first-ever gold medals in women's soccer and softball, as well as winning gold in women's gymnastics team all-around and women's basketball.

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