The oldest probably still remember this match where Makan Dioumassi had extinguished Steve Nash. This quarter-final loss against the France team, and the classification match (7th place) which followed, marked the last appearance of the Canada, then worn by legendary point guard and pivot Todd MacCulloch, at the Olympic Games. It was in 2000 in Sydney.
After more than twenty years of absence on the most beautiful of sporting scenes, the country with the maple leaf will make its return next year, in Paris. By winning against Spain, the Canadians not only obtained their qualification for the quarter-finals of the World Cup, but also their Olympic ticket.
Like mother, like son!
” It is simply an honor. All my life I’ve known what it means to go to the Olympics and I know that the best athletes in the world are there and we consider ourselves part of that group. It’s a good feeling to go there », soberly appreciates team star Shai Gilgeous-Alexanderjoking that his mother, Charmaine Gilgeous, who competed in the 400 meters event at the 1992 Olympics, is no longer the only one who can boast about it.
This one, with his 30 points, 7 assists and a package of decisive actions at the end, was again present for the first major meeting of the Canadian formation which started an ambitious new cycle.
“SGA” will thus remain the head of the gondola of the team in France where it will try to win another medal. What she has not achieved since silver in… 1936 in Berlin.
Not the only goal
” The last time we participated in the Olympics was in 2000, and I keep saying that one of the best things in my life was being able to take 12 players to the Olympics. It would be the best thing for us to come back to it and get good results from it. I think it’s quite possible for this group of players », displayed, confident, Jay Trianothe coach at the time (1999-2004 then 2012-2019).
The latter, after his second term, was replaced a few years later by Nick Nurse, who launched the “Olympic mission”, this three-year program providing for the commitment of a majority of NBA players. Contract completed today.
” Going to the Games is something very special for our program, but for these guys, compared to what they have been doing since the beginning of August… It’s great but we have to keep thinking about the next game. We have three left. We didn’t just come here to go to the Olympics. Like I told the guys, we want to make sure everyone realizes that we’re knocking on the door and hungry for wins. “Warns Jordi Fernandez.
who adds: Slacking off now would make absolutely no sense. “Before thinking of Paris, priority to Slovenia therefore, for the biggest poster of these quarter-finals which will be played on Wednesday.
