U.S. Team Loses Gary Russell Jr. to Severe Dehydration

The U.S. Olympic boxing team has suffered its first loss and the Games haven't even officially begun! Gary Russell Jr. - a two-time national champion - collapsed while trying to make weight and will miss the Olympics. The 20-year-old bantamweight was one of the U.S. team's best hopes for bringing home a medal. Russell was reportedly found unconscious and severely dehydrated shortly after returning from a run as he tried to get down to the 119-pound weight limit. Medical personnel rehydrated Russell and he did not require hospitalization but he was not well enough to join his teammates at the pre-Olympic weigh-in. The U.S. team is now down to just eight boxers, its smallest Olympic representation since 1948.

Making weight is a fact of life for boxers in the lighter weight classes but this did not come as a complete shock to some observers as Russell hadn't been as low as 119 since the world championships in October 2007. Expect lots of finger pointing between Russell, Russell's father and U.S. coach Dan Campbell. Regardless of who is to blame, this is tremendously disappointing for everyone involved.

The first fights of the 2008 Olympics take place tomorrow. Follow all the action with our complete Olympic boxing coverage.