There is no better show of patriotism, athleticism or human spirit than the Olympics. This year, an estimated 500,000 people per day will watch the Summer Games in London. And while they’re battling it out in England, we’ve got all the best in 2012 Olympics Apparel, so you can show your USA pride here in the States. Maybe, you’ll be moved enough to recite the Olympic Oath from the comfort of your own home. The oath, a promise made by a singular athlete at the opening ceremonies, states:

“In the name of all the competitors I promise that we shall take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them, committing ourselves to a sport without doping and without drugs, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honor of our teams.”

My, How We’ve Grown

At the very first Olympic Games in 1896, there were only nine sports. Many have come and gone, and this time around 26 sports will be contested in London. Do you know what are the only five sports featured at every summer Olympic Games? Only the sports of: Athletics, Cycling, Fencing, Gymnastics and Swimming have been contested at each and every Olympic Games since 1896. Grab an Olympics T-Shirt for whatever sport you follow and root the USA onto a win in each and every of the 302 Summer Olympic Games events.

The Myth of Pheidippides

It was in 490 B.C. that a courier named Pheidippides ran from Marathon to Athens (a distance of about 25 miles) to tell the Athenians of the Greek victory over the Persians in the Battle of Marathon. According to legend, Pheidippides ran the 25 miles from the battlefield to Athens and stated, “Hail, we are winners!” before collapsing and dying. Many years later, at the first modern games of the Olympiad in 1896, a race was held with the approximate same length in commemoration of Pheidippides. You won’t have to run far to get an Olympics Hat to honor your favorite athletes.

The ‘Dream Team’ and the 1992 Olympics

In 1992, for the first time ever, the Men’s US Olympic Basketball Team featured active NBA players instead of college athletes. It was at the prior Olympics, in 1988, that the team made up of college participants finished a disappointing third place. Despite votes by the United States and Russia against it, FIBA (International Basketball Federation) decided to allow professional basketball players into the Olympics. With NBA greats like: Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, John Stockton, Karl Malone, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Patrick Ewing and Charles Barkley, the newly nicknamed “Dream Team” was considered to be the single greatest team ever assembled in any sport. The Men’s 1992 US Olympic Basketball Team grabbed gold, after handing out defeats with a 44-pt. average margin of victory.

Many have likened the 2012 US Men’s Basketball team to that of their 1992 predecessors due, in part, to the amount of talent on the current team. This year’s team, featuring NBA greats and future Hall-of-Famers like: Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, Deron Williams and LeBron James, look set to once again bring home a USA Olympic Gold. Join this year’s full-court domination with Football Fanatics and our collection of Team USA Basketball Apparel.