Russia's shining light

LONDON (Olympics) - From the time Maria Stepanova first stepped into the Olympic arena, the world knew that Russia had a player that was going to be in their national team for a very long time.

The Shpakovskoe-born Stepanova was thin, but tall.

She towered above the other players on the court at 2.03m in height.

Stepanova had striking blond hair and wore it in a long pony tail.

Her first appearance at a Summer Games occurred on the 21st of July in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Stepanova, only 17 years of age, played one minute that day for the Russians in a 73-63 victory over Japan.

Summer after summer, she turned out for the Russians and became their most recognizable figure, and most reliable player.

In 1998, she helped Russia capture silver at the FIBA World Championship in Germany.

After playing in her second Olympics two years later in Sydney, Australia, Stepanova claimed her first gold at the EuroBasket Women in 2003, an event held in Patras, Greece.

Again in 2007 and 2011, Stepanova led Russia as they won gold medals to underline their status as the best team on the old continent.

Indeed, only last year in Poland, Stepanova rose to the occasion for Russia and helped fire her country to a European title in Poland to qualify for the Olympics yet again.

Averaging 12.3 points and 8.9 rebounds, she was named to the All-Tournament Team.

She had 18 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks against Turkey in the Final.

One of her more celebrated moments came in 2006 at the World Championship in Brazil.

Stepanova, averaging 16 points and 8.8 rebounds, had a game she will never forget in leading her country past the favored United States.

She poured in 13 points, corralled 11 rebounds and swatted four shots as Russia shocked the United States, 75-68, in the Semi-Finals.

Stepanova was just as good against Australia in the title game, scoring 17 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, blocking two shots and coming up with two steals, yet the Opals won to finish top of the podium.

Gold medals at World Championships and Summer Games are missing from Stepanova's curriculum vitae, although she did claim bronze at the Athens and Beijing Olympics.

There is not one single moment or game that stands above the others for Stepanova when it comes to the Olympics.

As she has grown older, perhaps what sets her apart is the ability to shift into a higher gear at the business end of tournaments.

In Beijing, her three best games came at the end when she had 12 points and 10 boards in the Quarter-Finals against Spain, before going for 14 points, five rebounds and two blocks in a Semi-Final defeat to the USA and finishing with 15 points with nine rebounds in the Bronze Medal triumph over hosts China.

Looking forward to another opportunity to finish top of the Olympics, Stepanova was dealt a crushing blow on 30 March, 2012.

At the EuroLeague Women Final Eight in Istanbul, Stepanova was playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg when she tore her ACL.

Some wonder if the international basketball world has seen the last of Stepanova.

After all, following last year’s gold-medal win in Poland, Stepanova said: “I am extremely happy. This is my third gold medal at the EuroBasket Women and it could be my last as I may not play in another EuroBasket Women.”

As she is 32, no one should rule Stepanova out of making a last appearance at the 2016 Olympics when they are held in Rio de Janeiro.

FIBA