Rio de Janeiro, July 16 (IANS) He may be at an age when most elite athletes have retired, but Brazilian basketballer Marcelinho’s Olympic career is only just beginning.
The 37-year-old will be one of the oldest debutants at the London Games when Brazil’s men’s team confronts Australia in its first preliminary match July 29, reports Xinhua.
Despite a professional career that has spanned almost two decades in four countries, Marcelinho admits to feeling as anxious as a rookie as the team prepares for the tournament.
“Everything involving the Olympics has been special for me,” Marcelinho said.
“The level of anxiety is greater and the enthusiasm within the team has gone up to another level.”
The London Games will be Brazil’s first appearance in basketball at the Olympics for 16 years.
Marcelinho said the team would not let the emotion of the occasion affect their performance, admitting this would be his first and last Olympic Games.
“We can’t let ourselves be overwhelmed. We have to stay focused on our objective,” he said.
“I’m going to leave the enjoyment side of it for the Rio Games in 2016. By then I will be a spectator and can watch it with my son. From my veranda I can see everything.”
The shooting guard, who currently plays with Brazilian club Flamengo, says he will not be satisfied with anything less than a medal.
“The USA and Spain are probably the favourites but there isn’t much difference between the other teams,” Marcelinho said.
