Gasol said that the most important thing now is to defeat the epidemic, which is what he is most concerned about at present.
Xinhua News Agency, Madrid, April 15 -during his glorious basketball career, Paul Gasol led the Spanish team to win many championship titles, and his career in American League basketball was also very successful, he won the championship twice in Los Angeles Lakers. In a recent interview, he said that his next goal was to become the senior veteran of the Olympic five dynasties.
In order to achieve this goal, Gasol must completely recover from the foot injury. The serious foot injury made him fade out of the US league and failed to hold the men’s basketball World Cup in China in 2019, I also missed the chance to win the championship trophy with my teammates. He wanted to represent the Spanish team to participate in the Olympic Games originally planned to be held in Japan this year, but under the influence of the new Crown pneumonia epidemic, the Olympic games were postponed to 2021.
“Before the Olympic games were announced to be postponed, I would have hoped to have enough time to recover the injuries and be able to play and participate in my fifth Olympic Games at the age of 40.” Gasol said, “Now I have more time to recover, but in fact, I will be 41 in the summer of 2021, which is a big challenge.”
Gasol won the most valuable player in the 2006 World Men’s Basketball Championship (the predecessor of the men’s basketball World Cup), and the Spanish team he led finally reached the top.
During the four Olympic Games tour in Gasol, the Spanish team had a good record: They broke into the top eight in 2004, won the runner-up in 2008 and 2012, and won the bronze medal in 2016.
Over the years, Gasol has played an inspiring performance on the court, and he also showed a strong human touch.
Gasol has been the ambassador of the United Nations Children’s Fund for the past 17 years. In 2013, he and his younger brother Mark Gasol established the Gasol Foundation to help improve community healthy water and develop healthy living habits, especially against childhood obesity.
Gasol has also set a good example in fighting against the new coronavirus epidemic. At the end of March, he and Spanish tennis star Nadal launched the “Our best Victory” campaign, which aims to raise 11 million euros for those who need help during the epidemic. Gasol said that the most important thing now is to defeat the epidemic, which is what he is most concerned about at present.
Yogueta to be able to represent the Spanish team in Tokyo, the highest podium will be the most perfect way for him to retire. “I don’t know if there is a perfect ending, but obviously winning an Olympic medal or even an Olympic gold medal is the best way I can think.” Gasol said.