Thinking of Sanchez when The Games begin

NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen’s Women’s Basketball Worldwide) – When the eagerly anticipated Olympics finally swing into action later this week, my thoughts won’t only be with those ready to step out in London but also those who missed out – and none more so than Argentinian legend Carolina Sanchez.
 
Four years ago, when Argentina failed to punch their ticket for Beijing, it was a painful experience in more ways than one for the veteran. A broken nose caused a premature exit from the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament and rubbed an unnecessary dose of salt into a deep emotional wound.
 
And, perhaps even more agonising and disappointing than what she endured in 2008, was the way in which she recently bowed out of international basketball altogether last month.
 
Slumped in a chair in a near deserted post-game media conference room inside Ankara Arena, Sanchez was forced to reflect on Argentina’s meek surrender as her final opportunity of an Olympic dream ebbed despairingly away.
 
It’s a truism that sport can be a lonely place at times and believe me, this was a brutal, unpalatable exit which pulled at the heart strings in no uncertain terms.
 
As I asked if it was the end of the road for definite, a tear rolled down her cheek. I couldn’t help but feel huge sympathy for a player who has given so much for her country and deserved a whole lot more that what I was witnessing.
 
Visibly choked and emotional, she still managed to force out the words to summarise the pain of the lowest point of her career coming at arguably the very worst moment of her career – the end.
 
“It was really, really bad because my retirement should have come at the Olympic Games,” said Sanchez.
 
“The truth is really bad because of that. But, that is the position.”
 
When Sanchez spills blood, it comes out blue and white. Even at that indescribably intense moment, she was still thinking of the future of her team.
 
“The girls will continue fighting for Rio 2016 and I hope that they will make it to the next Olympics,” she explained.
 
“I think the future is to continue working as they have been, to continue working with the young girls.
 
“I think we have a really young team and I think this is the road to keep following for the future with more international games with Europeans because we know that is where the best level is.
 
“We need to take advantage and come to play more games with European teams in the future.”
 
Drawing a large breath, Sanchez blew out her cheeks and sat back in her chair as the tears began to flow more freely.
 
Desperately in need of a consoling arm around the shoulder, the required hug and words of support duly arrived from head coach Roberto Santin.
 
“I have known Carolina since she was 20 years old and I hope there are national team players with the feeling of belonging and love for the Argentinian shirt just as Carolina has always had,” he said.
 
“For the young ones in our team, she is an example to follow and for me, I am so proud to have managed her during this last year.”
 
Santin could barely have said anything more powerful and succinct.
 
And, reflecting on such a tender and touching moment, I now truly hope the Argentinian Federation ensures she is given the farewell she deserves as guest of honour at a future national team game.

I also hope those players who did make it to London ensure they relish every single second.
 
For should neither of these things happen, it would be an added insult to a truly great warrior of the women's game.
 
Paul Nilsen

FIBA

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