Olympics Sightseeing: US Women's Basketball Team Visits Christ the Redeemer Statue
"It was just beautiful and not only just the statue but everything around it and being able to see all of the views of Rio is just awesome"
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A visit to Rio wouldn't be complete without a trip to see the famous Christ the Redeemer statue.
The U.S. women's basketball team visited one of the new seven Wonders of the World after practice Thursday. They were in awe of the breathtaking views offered from the top of Mount Corcovado. The men's basketball team had gone to see the statue a few days earlier.
"Going up there I had no idea it was going to be that huge in person," Elena Delle Donne told The Associated Press while sitting and waiting for the tram back down to the bottom of the mountain. "I had a lot of fun getting different photos up there, pretty amazing to see. If you google a picture imagine that but 50 times bigger, maybe a 100 times bigger. It was just beautiful and not only just the statue but everything around it and being able to see all of the views of Rio is just awesome."
While taking their own photos, the players also posed for pictures with other visitors to the statue. They even photobombed a few unsuspecting tourists, who smiled at the added attraction of one of the best women's basketball players in the world jumping into their picture.
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Nicole Johnson, fiancee of Michael Phelps of the Unites States, holds their son Boomer and Debbie Phelps, Michael's mother, celebrate after the Men's 4 x 100m Medley Relay Final on Day 8 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 13, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Nicole Johnson, fiancee of Michael Phelps of the Unites States, holds their son Boomer and Debbie Phelps, Michael's mother, celebrate after the Men's 4 x 100m Medley Relay Final on Day 8 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 13, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Billy Bush takes a photo with Nicole Johnson and Boomer Phelps on the TODAY show set on Copacabana Beach on August 12, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Nicole Johnson, Boomer Phelps and Debbie Phelps join Hoda Kotb and Matt Lauer on the TODAY show set on Copacabana Beach on August 12, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Nicole Johnson and Boomer Phelps pose for a photo on the TODAY show set on Copacabana Beach on August 12, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Nicole Johnson, partner of Michael Phelps of the United States, holds their son Boomer on Day 3 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 8, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Boomer Phelps, the son of Michael Phelps of the United States, is seen on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Gold medalist Michael Phelps of the United States celebrates with his mother Deborah Phelps, fiancee Nicole Johnson and son Boomer during the medal ceremony for the Men's 200m Butterfly Final on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Gold medalist Michael Phelps of the United States celebrates with his mother Deborah Phelps, fiancee Nicole Johnson and son Boomer during the medal ceremony for the Men's 200m Butterfly Final on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Gold medalist Michael Phelps of the United States celebrates with his mother Deborah Phelps, fiancee Nicole Johnson and son Boomer during the medal ceremony for the Men's 200m Butterfly Final on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Gold medalist Michael Phelps of the United States celebrates with his mother Deborah Phelps, fiancee Nicole Johnson and son Boomer during the medal ceremony for the Men's 200m Butterfly Final on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Nicole Johnson, partner of Michael Phelps, holds their son Boomer on Day 3 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 8, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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United States' Michael Phelps' son Boomer wears ear protection during the swimming competitions at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Michael Phelps' son Boomer looks on during the swimming competitions at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
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USA's Michael Phelps' mother Deborah (L), partner Nicole Johnson (C) and son Boomer watch swimming events from the tribune during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on August 8, 2016.
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Deborah Phelps (R), mother of Michael Phelps, and partner Nicole Johnson (C) with their son Boomer celebrate gold in the Final of the Men's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay on Day 2 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 7, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Michael Phelps points up at his son, Boomer, as his family celebrates gold in the Final of the Men's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay on Day 2 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 7, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Boomer Phelps and his mom, Nicole Johnson.
Diana Taurasi didn't just photobomb people, however, she also made a few new friends with a bunch of Argentinians who were near the statue. She chatted them up and then took photos with them.
This wasn't the first time that a U.S. women's basketball Olympic team has visited one of the world's most famous sites. Tamika Catchings was on the 2008 squad that went to the Great Wall in China.
"It's amazing. Thinking about all the places basketball can take you and all the things you can see," Catchings said. "Being able to experience it with people you care about and love. Coming out here today after practice, you're like you're tired, but coming here you get rejuvenated. Down there it doesn't look as cool as it does up here."
