NEW YORK (2016 Rio Olympics) - Spain point guard Jose Calderon is keeping his fingers crossed that come August, he'll become a four-time Olympian. The 34-year-old has already experienced the thrill of playing in Athens in 2004, Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012. An appearance in Brazil, he says, would be a great ending to his Olympic career.

"I'd love to play in Rio," he said to FIBA.com. "That would be my fourth Olympics, and my last (he laughs). There is still plenty of time to get ready for Rio and I hope I will be there."

A native of Villanueva de la Serena, a city in the Province of Badajoz, Extremadura, Calderon has played basketball his entire life. He has found fame, fortune and success. A big hit in Spain's top flight with Baskonia (Laboral Kutxa), he has been in the NBA since the 2005-06 campaign. He has been a 'lifer' in the national team setup, dating back to his days as a cadet in 1997.

Calderon has been there for many of the good times with the senior national team. Twelve years ago, he travelled to Athens and took part in his first Olympics. He liked everything about it, except the end result.

Jose Calderon made his Olympic debut at the Athens 2004 Games

Spain won all five of their games in the Group Phase and looked good bets to reach the podium. A Quarter-Final defeat to the United States ended their hopes of getting a medal. An extraordinary 31-point effort from Stephon Marbury lifted the Americans to a 102-94 win. Marbury, who had averaged just over 4 points in the USA's first five games, connected on six of his nine attempts from long range against Spain.

Calderon and the national team used the disappointment from that defeat as fuel for success in the tournaments that followed. In 2006, Spain captured a world title in Japan and in 2008 and 2012, respectively, they reached the Gold Medal Game of the Olympics. Calderon was in each of those sides. The floor general also played in 2011 when Spain captured their second EuroBasket title in Lithuania.

When it comes to Olympic Games, there were times when it seemed Spain's medals in 2008 and 2012 might end up being gold but the USA denied them.

The Americans beat them in the first in Beijing, 118-111, and the second in London, 107-100.

Surprisingly, perhaps, is that Calderon's favorite Olympics were not the 2008 Games or 2012 Games.

"I think the first one I participated in [2004], even if we didn't win a medal," he said.

"Then the medals for sure, even if it hurts to lose in a Final, but winning an Olympic medal is not easy at all."

Winning a medal in the Olympics is a dream for every athlete and I can say that I won medals. Those are some memories that are going to stay in my mind forever. We have another great opportunity to fight for another one this summer. - Calderon

Indeed they do. Spain qualified for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics by winning EuroBasket 2015. The United States are going to be the favorites to capture gold in Brazil, but the Spaniards should have as good a chance as any other national team to win a medal. 

They will have an experienced squad with world class players. However, it's difficult to know what the make-up of the team is going to be. Which players from last year's magical run will be selected again? Which veterans are going to come back?

Calderon did not compete with the national side last summer. His absence, as well as that of Ricky Rubio, Juan Carlos Navarro and Marc Gasol, led many to think that Spain did not have enough firepower to win a title. A superstar effort from Pau Gasol and timely contributions from others allowed Spain to capture another crown, though.

The pivotal win came against France in the Semi-Finals. Gasol carried the team on his back to victory.

Gasol shone throughout the tournament, and he was joined in the All-Star Five by Spain point guard Sergio Rodriguez. Spain had a group of players that fought for each other and ended up celebrating one of the country's greatest basketball triumphs.

They played at an incredible level. I knew that they could beat every team and the team was very versatile. Pau Gasol did incredible things and he helped the national team win another title. Now, the goal is that everyone will be healthy for the start of the preparation for this summer, as we need to be at our best level for the Olympics. - Calderon

The players that are chosen are going to have many a tough opponent to face. Spain were drawn in Group B with Argentina, Lithuania, Nigeria and Brazil. One of the winners of the three FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTs) will also end up in the pool. The Argentina game will be special. Not only will Calderon's former teammates Luis Scola and Andres Nocioni play for Argentina, but Manu Ginobili as well.

One of Spain's most important victories came against Argentina in 2006, when they edged them in their Semi-Final at the FIBA Basketball World Cup. Nocioni missed a potential game-winning three-pointer at the death and then Spain beat Greece in the title game.

"We have played against them a lot and it's always special to play against Argentina," Calderon said. "Some of the Argentinian players were teammates of mine (at Baskonia in Spain), like Luis Scola, Andres Nocioni, and Pablo Prigioni, and it's good to play against them. It's a good thing to see that Manu will be with the team and it would be a good opportunity for all of us to compete in our last Olympics."

FIBA