While the NBA playoffs take up a huge chunk of the world’s attention, there is no denying that the 2024 Paris Olympics are very much present in everyone’s mind.
There are a number of factors that make this year’s Olympics exciting for basketball lovers. The fact that this could be LeBron James’ final attendance and just the players
that make up the ‘Avengers’ is in itself reason enough to keep ears open for any news of the same. And on that note, the presence of Stephen Curry on the list has also been a major driving force.
Why, you ask? The same reason that Steph withdrew from participating in the Olympics twice. The first was during the Rio Olympics (2016) and the second, Tokyo Olympics (2021).
Curry has a stacked resume, but the one area where the Warriors superstar has yet to make a debut is the Olympics.
Not for the lack of opportunity, mind you. Rather, it was a choice that Curry as a player and father took.
And he has no regret whatsoever about those decisions. “I’m very confident in that decision. No regrets at all,” he had said to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner in 2021. The then-father of three was taking part in the American Century Championship golf tournament when he cited his reasons. The COVID-19 protocols, condensed schedules, and the toll of playing these games during a global pandemic all proved too much for the 4x champion. “There’s always that itch to play and play on the biggest stage like the Olympics, but it just wasn’t the right thing for me and the right time,” he added.
Steph further admitted that it was a hard decision but being with his family and assessing his health was well important for the point guard. “[But] being here I’m playing golf, having fun with my family. And that’s a personal thing.” He further added, “You take everything into account… how I’m feeling physically, mentally, what’s happening around the league… Just knowing at the end of the day do I want to play or not? And the answer was no at the end of the day.”
Knee and ankle injuries had become the villains during the Rio Olympics. But he was wise enough to look at the bigger picture. And it was his NBA career and prioritizing health. But like Stephen Curry also pointed out, as athletes, there will always be the “itch” to play on the big stages.
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Source: Forbes
