Dawn Staley enjoys different Olympic view. In Paris, she's a fan

PARIS — Dawn Staley is trying something new at the Paris Olympics: She’s a fan.

Yes, Staley has been to six previous Olympics — three as a player, two as an assistant and then one as the head coach. And all six of those teams won gold medals in women's basketball.

In Paris, she’s seen a slew of gold-medal moments, but as a spectator.

“I’m living my best life,” Staley said with a wide smile at an appearance at the Nike Athlete’s House during the Games. “This is lovely.”

Staley was always working when she was at past Olympics.

As a player, she won gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, the 2000 Sydney Games and again in Athens in 2004. After her playing days, she turned her attention to coaching. Staley was an assistant on the 2008 and the 2016 teams, before becoming the head coach of the gold medal-winning women’s team at the Tokyo Games three years ago.

In Paris, it’s been a pleasure trip.

“There’s no pressure,” Staley said, “and I am seeing everything” as she rattled several events including fencing, water polo, track and field and of course, basketball. “I wasn’t able to do this before because I was always competing.”

And yes, she did some work in Paris as well. South Carolina is still looking for games to fill out its schedule for this coming season. So, Staley went on social media on Friday to see if anyone wants to play her powerhouse program.

But on Saturday, it was back to vacation. And when the U.S. women’s soccer team won gold by beating Brazil, Staley won a bet with former Gamecocks star Kamila Cardoso — saving her from having to wear a Brazil jersey for a South Carolina game.

“It's been an awesome time,” Staley said.