BASKETBALL: Damian Martin can’t stop smiling.
At 31, the Australian basketballer is making his Olympic Games debut and he couldn’t be happier.
“It’s unbelievable,” Martin grinned.
“I was walking around with Patty (Mills) last night and he kept laughing because I was doing all the cheesy photos even though it was dark and I’ve got a horrible camera.
“Even though there’s been some growing pains in the Village, I said I’d sleep on a swag if it meant coming over here.
“It’s just the pinnacle of any athlete’s career and now it’s time to knuckle down and try and get some results on the court.”
Post selection, Martin admitted it took some time for it to sink in.
“The four or five days were a bit of a blur just with a cheesy grin from ear to ear and just on cloud nine,” Martin said.
After over a decade captaining the Australian U19 team to the gold medal at the 2003 World Championships, Martin is aiming for a medal in Rio.
“There’s a reason we’re here and that’s to win that elusive medal that the Australian men’s basketball team hasn’t been able to do so far,” Martin added.
The veteran will bring not just a wealth of experience to the team but also a great sense of humour.
The men’s basketball team takes on France at 2.15pm on Saturday August 6 (3.15am Sunday August 7 AEST).
Sophie Onikul
olympics.com.au
