Playing in the Olympics is a prideful moment for any player who values representing their country in international competition, and when their home country is hosting the event, it’s especially monumental.
Warriors center Anderson Varejao was born in Colatina, Brazil, and as Rio de Janeiro prepares to be the center of the sports world from August 5-August 21, Brazil will have to host the Olympics without one of its most famous athletes participating.
Varejao will likely miss the Rio Olympics with a back injury, according to Marc Stein. Varejao flew to Los Angeles for an examination, and Dr. Robert Watkins has recommended that Varejao skip the Olympics.
ESPN sources: Warriors center Anderson Varejao is likely to be ruled out of the Olympics in his native Brazil this week due to a back injury
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 26, 2016
Although this is unfortunate news for any fan who wants to watch international basketball with as many teams operating at full strength as possible, Warriors fans can also breathe a sigh of relief. Varejao’s back injury is expected to resolve itself before the start of the next regular season.
Brazil’s medal chances in basketball certainly take a hit from this news. Tiago Splitter has also been ruled out due to injury, and the absence of both him and Varejao will negatively affect their front court depth.
Brazil will have to rely mainly on Nene and former Warriors shooting guard Leandro Barbosa to put on an impressive performance in front of their home fans.
Team USA has typically been the gold medal favorite in recent Olympics, with other countries jostling for the extra two spots on the medal podium.
This will certainly be Team USA’s gold medal to lose, and Warriors fans get to enjoy a trio of Warriors players representing the U.S.
Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green are all going to play huge roles in Team USA’s pursuit of that gold medal.
Varejao has been a member of Team Brazil since 2002. In 2012, Varejao helped guide Team Brazil to a 5th place finish at the London Olympics.
Unfortunately for Varejao, this may be his last Olympic opportunity. He’ll be nearly 38 years old in 2020, but perhaps the sting of missing this chance to play in front of his home country will motivate him to try for one last attempt to deliver a medal for Brazil in 2020.