Monarchs guard and Kings/ESPN analyst Kara Lawson, in Beijing with the U.S. women's basketball team that will play Australia for the Olympic gold medal on Saturday, spoke with Bee sports columnist Ailene Voisin before the team's semifinal victory over Russia. With her teammates chatting noisily in the background as the team bus returned to the hotel, Lawson offered her insights and impressions. And, of course, she likes the USA's prospects for a gold medal sweep.

Q: With the final days in China approaching, has the experience met your expectations? For someone who cut her honeymoon short a few months ago to train with the national team and improve your odds of making the final roster, I'm thinking, this trip had better be something like Great Expectations clashing with the Great Wall.

A: (Laugh) It's been incredible, from the Opening Ceremony, to meeting all the other athletes, to playing on the team. Opening Ceremony was just a rush. We got to meet the president in the fencing hall before the U.S. delegation walked in, and he took his picture with every team. We also got a chance to interact with the other athletes from volleyball, tennis, baseball. It was a huge mixer, with everybody taking pictures.

Q: Describe the Opening Ceremony.

A: Man, it was crazy. It was like running out before a game, but 1,000 times more exciting. We were walking with all the other athletes in this dark tunnel, and then at the end, there were these incredible lights within the stadium. You walk out there and see 90,000 people, all the flags popping up around the stadium. It was really cool.

Q: How many family members were there? I know your husband, Damien Barling, took time off from his work with the radio station (102.5-KFSM). Did your mom and sister make it the ceremony?

A: Yeah, my mom, Damien, and my sister all went. They got to see the whole show. They're the ones who told us how great the ceremonies were. Where the athletes were in the holding area, we could only watch most of it on a television. They took a lot of pictures, though.

Q: Any chance you spotted your family in the crowd?

A: Actually, they saw me walking. My mom thought I saw her and waved to her. I said to her later, 'Mom, there were 90,000 people in the stands. I did NOT see you!'

Q: I am assuming that the living arrangements for the women's team are similar to the men's team. Since 1992, the tradition is to accommodate the basketball teams at a five-star hotel instead of the more humble digs at the Olympic Village.

A: Yeah, we're staying at a hotel that's about 10 to 15 minutes from the competition. Same thing with the men. What's nice about it is that our families are here with us. We all eat in the same meal room. The families are taken on tours while we're at practice or whatever. We see the guys all the time. We have been going to their games. They go to ours.

Q: Both U.S. teams have been dominant here, though not there weren't a few anxious minutes in the last two games. The scoring margins are pretty impressive, though. With Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker, Sylvia Fowles, Diana Taurasi, etc., etc., etc., are there any weaknesses on your team?

A: You know what? We feel like our depth is one of our biggest advantages. The fact we have 12 great players means we can apply a lot of pressure. The scoring margins have been pretty wide, but we haven't focused on that. We're really just trying to play our game.

Q: What about your own role?

A: I just come off the bench and at guard, try to bring a lot of energy, defensive pressure, run the team. And (laugh) I try not to turn it over. As a team, we want to keep the pace high, put on a lot of pressure.

Q: And the men?

A: They're just on a mission. Kobe, LeBron, they're just on a mission, and their defense has been great. It's been nice to go see them. I hope it continues.

Q: Describe the atmosphere in the arena. We keep hearing that the events are sold out, but there have been complaints about empty seats at various venues throughout the Games.

A: Our games have been packed, and the people seem really excited. They're really into it. One game we were up 30 to 35 points in the fourth quarter, and they're still cheering. I was saying to myself 'If we were at home, down by 30 to 35 in the fourth quarter, I'm not sure everyone would stay and still be cheering (laugh).' I think they're just excited to see such great athletes, and they seem to really love basketball.

Q: What has been the best part of the trip beside the chance to play for the gold medal? Any time for sightseeing? Meet anyone interesting? Bump into an old childhood friend or teacher?

A: I've done most of the tourist stuff already because I have been here twice before, but the team went to the Great Wall, so I went along. Our families came, took pictures, walked around. But as far as sightseeing, that was it for me.

Q: How else have you spent your time?

A: I have been going to other events, which has been cool. I saw (Michael) Phelps swim the 100 butterfly. It wasn't the final, but it was still great. I went to tennis. I saw the end of the James Blake/Novak Djokovic match. And I got to see Roger Federer win the gold in doubles.

Q: I hear you're a huge Federer fan.

A: (Laugh) If there was anybody I wanted to meet here, it was Roger Federer. He is like my favorite (sports star). I didn't get to meet him, but at least I got to see him in person.

Q: So, I suspect you're not hearing much about your Monarchs during the break? They have been practicing, and I have been told that because Ticha Penicheiro has a sore shoulder, Nicole Powell has been playing some point guard. You ready for a little competition at the point when you get home?

A: Nicole playing some point, huh? I have to see that (laugh). We start up again soon enough.

Call The Bee's Ailene Voisin, (916) 321-1208.