MEXICO (2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament) - Mexico began their preparations to participate in the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT), with the firm hope of getting a ticket for the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games. Guard Gabriel Giron shows his confidence and his excitement of maybe participating in the most important sport event of the world.

The Mexicans, led by Spanish coach Sergio Valdeolmillos, began their training camp at the Centro Nacional de Alto Rendimiento (CNAR), in Mexico City.

Giron said that "although the team reunion officially started on May 30, some players got together earlier and started training together before, preparing for the tournaments of the season. The expectations we have are big, because we have a great opportunity of going to the Olympics, and that can be very important for Mexican basketball."

Mexico must earn their place at the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games during the Turin OQT, where they will face Greece and Iran in Group A, and could possibly face Tunisia, Croatia and Italy, who play in Group B.

The 28-year old player has no doubts about how complicated the task will be, saying it "ours is perhaps, the strongest group, where the competition will be tough and demanding. Everyone wants that ticket and we know we will have quality opponents. That is why we are preparing to give our best and to win that place that Mexico craves."

Since 2013, with Valdeolmillos on the bench, Mexico has raised its level and has been a commander in all the competitions they’ve played, winning the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship and the 2014 Centrobasket.

However, Giron knows that to get the Olympic berth the Aztecs will need a quality leap. "Mexico has always been distinguished by the unity of the team, with the heart and desire we put into every game. We always play with our characterized defense, which has been the key for our good results in recent years. We have to insist on that," he said.

Mexico's last appearance at the Olympics was in Montreal 1976, where they finished in 10th place with one win and five defeats.

According to Giron "for Mexican basketball getting back to the Olympics would be incredible, because of the work, effort and dedication given to basketball in recent years, thanks to all who have supported us to make it happen. It has had a very strong impact on the fans, who have accompanied us at all times and they deserve to see the National Team in the world's most important sporting event after so many years. There is a lot of talent in Mexican basketball and we must continue to work with the new generations to continue to have international presence."

The player of Fuerza Regia has spent four years in the National Team and acknowledges that for him to be in Rio de Janeiro "would be the highest honor that I could have as an athlete. Being in a competition where the best in the world play and representing your country would be a dream come true. There is nothing more beautiful than that feeling."

Giron debuted in the national team of Mexico at the 2012 Centrobasket, and as of June 19 in Panama City, Mexico will have another participation in the regional tournament, where they will defend the title won in 2014.

"The Centrobasket is a very important tournament for us and we have to defend the gold we won in Nayarit. Also, we can get into the rhythm of the game during the competition. It is a very demanding tournament, because you have to give the maximum in every game. It would be very important for us to participate in Panama, to better our chances at the OQT," said the Mexican guard.

FIBA