The Countdown Begins: Exactly One year left in the 2012 London Olympics – Basketball Feature
The Basketball arena in London, scheduled to host the games at next year’s Olympics, has been completed. It is now ready to embrace the footsteps of the best teams from all over the globe including Australia, France, China, Spain
and the mighty United States of America. The USA also happens to be the gold medallists from Beijing 2008.
The final game of Beijing 2008, which saw the USA lock horns with a resilient Spanish team, was one of the most fiercely contested finals in the history of Olympic Basketball. The sight of LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade
and Dwight Howard playing on one team was not only intimidating, but also beautiful to witness. However, a defiant Spanish attack, led by Pau Gasol and Carlos Navarro, put up a truly valiant effort to show everyone what the Olympics mean to an athlete.
Three years have passed by since that day, and we now stand on the verge of another momentous Olympic event - the 2012 London Olympics. Exactly one year from now, we will witness the coming together of nations from all across the
world, with high hopes and soaring aspirations to achieve glory at the most sacred sporting event in the history of mankind.
Exactly one year from now, the top athletes from every country will lead their teams out in London’s main Olympic Stadium. Exactly one year from now, the magical Olympic flame will be lit again and wonderful choreographed routines,
comprising a blend of traditional and modern British culture, are expected to captivate millions around the globe and induce shivers down the spines of athletes.
The ‘one year to go’ timeline holds a special significance for athletes and fans alike. Be it basketball or any other sporting event, it does not matter as everything falls under the same umbrella, that of the Olympics. While athletes
start preparing harder than ever, fans are already busy buying tickets and planning trips to the great cosmopolitan city of London, which also happens to rank as the no.1 tourist destination in the world.
In terms of basketball, the best of the best will be on display come next July. There is absolutely no questioning the commitment of players, be it the NBA or the European leagues. In fact, many players prefer the Olympics even
over the FIBA World Championships as shown by the likes of LeBron and Kobe last time around.
Dirk Nowitzki described his experience at the Beijing Olympics 2008 as the best of his life, until he won the NBA Championship this year. His commitment towards playing the Eurobasket next month has its entire motivation stemming
from the fact that the Eurobasket acts as the qualifying round for the Olympics.
LeBron was speechless after USA’s victory over Spain in Beijing 2008 and Kobe was ecstatic beyond measure. All this alludes to the fact that this 115 year old event sparks not only a dream, but a desire to win that can be understood
through experience alone.
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