Reply With Quote
Two weeks after Rio. Notes.
I wanted some time to pass after the Olympic Games to write something, already away from emotion and the adrenaline of such an intense moment. I'll try not to be sentimental or melancholic about it because I think I already did that enough.
It'll be a post list-style, but only with notes and comments I want to highlight after going through such a huge event.
1 - Sensations
Like I said often, what a huge privilege to be able to participate in something like this for the fourth time! Wonderful! Everything was very intense, both on the physical and psychological aspects, the latter especially towards the end, but the whole thing filled with joy and with a very friendly group that I appreciate a lot.
2 – Opening Ceremony
Normally, we don't see much at all of the opening ceremony. When the most interesting part happens, we're just arriving to the arena, so in the past 4 editions I have no clue what happens before we get in. Athletes just get tired of standing up for seven or eight hours from leaving their room until they get back, that's why some prefer to parade and return immediately to the village to rest.
Due to how our schedule was set up (we were starting two days later and late at night), we stayed and we did some chatting, took some pictures and waited for the moment when the Olympic flame gets lit, which is always a very emotional moment. I had the chance to record some video with a 360 camera of the last part of the parade and the fireworks at the end. Hope you like them.
Two quick tips about the videos:
a - Pick a high resolution, preferably over 1080p to get a better quality. The wait is longer, but I think it's worth it.
b - Remember you can spin the image around, with a mouse on a computer or using your fingers with the YouTube app on your phone.
3 – Compe ion
Another topic I don't think needs to be discussed much further because it was addressed quite a bit is how we did. We finished the group with a 3-2 record like we expected to, but then we had to face Team USA in the quarterfinals, a team that due to our present, is almost unbeatable. The young guys gained some good experience, the two oldest guys said goodbye like we dreamed of doing, and other guys will keep on fighting. I think it was helpful to everybody.
4 – Crowd
Amazing! There are moments where you're put into positions where it's difficult not to sound like a demagogue. This is certainly not one of those times, since here I can talk about whatever I want. That's why I want to highlight that very few times (or never) I've actually seen anything like it in a basketball court. I think the support from our fans was felt even more than if we've played in Argentina (allow me to make that completely unverifiable claim, coming from the euphoria of what I experienced, just so I can emphasize some more how great it was. Thanks). The main point is that people were really exalted and happy.
How they supported us in the epic game against Brazil and the end against Team USA is well known, but let me share a small clip recorded by the Argentina Basketball Federation, where it displays the incredible crowd after the game against Croatia. A big pleasure to play with that support behind us! An ambience that was like a party and a big celebration. That's how it was in all the games. A thousand thanks to those that were there and also those that couldn't be and experienced it just like that from their homes. Remarkable.
5 - Other sports
Unfortunately I couldn't go watch anything else. We had to play the first 3 games late and that made it difficult to go to other arenas. The day of the game obviously you just can't do that, and the next day I was too tired going to sleep very late. By the time that we started playing at earlier times, I was already tired after the game against Lithuania and the eternal game against Brazil, so every minute I had, I used it for resting. A shame, but fortunately I could enjoy quite a bit of that in Beijing and London.
6 – #ElSello
We had a great laugh with Chapu doing #elsello. There were people from everywhere sending pictures and honestly we had a good laugh while we were thinking about it. You should see us trying to think of the next steps! Thanks Facundo for so much!
7 - Other Athletes
a. Peque Pareto (@paulipareto). She made us be part of a wonderful moment! I couldn't watch it live since I was dead tired from the previous day and the first game was coming up, but as soon as I got up and read the news, I started watching everything and was moved by everything. Spectacular!
b. I was also moved by Fernanda Russo (@ItsFerRusso) at the shooting range. That "20, mom, 20!" followed by a hug and crying, it was memorable. I had the fortune to meet with her the next day and talk a bit. Genius!
c - What Delpo (@delpotrojuan) did was epic too. We also couldn't watch him because he was playing at the same time we were playing against Brazil, but as soon as we were done talking to the press, we turned on the TV in the locker room and we watched the tie-break against Nadal. We celebrated twice that day. A very good moment.
d - As far as basketball, in the Village I was able to share a meal (few) with Patty and Tony, talk a bit with my future teammate Pau Gasol, also with my favorite fatty Boris, exchange some words with Rubén Magnano and be interviewed, among others, by the great Fabricio Raúl Jesús Oberto, Tiago Splitter, Pipa Gutierrez and even my brother!
I don't want to make this longer than it needs to be. As you all know, it was a great experience, just like I expected it to be. Now to change the #5 for #20 and start a new season with the San Antonio Spurs.
Before saying goodbye, and as an experiment to see if you all get to the end of the post, the first three persons that respond to this post and the text contains the word "Su acia", will win an official Spurs* training piece of clothing.
Until next time!
Manu
