LILLE (France) - Lauren Jackson took to the court at the Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024 an incredible 12 years after her last appearance at London 2012.
Retired for eight years, the legendary Aussie star shocked the sport when she announced a comeback bid to make the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022. Defying the doubters, she managed to land a roster spot for the prestigious tournament.
Completing a spectacular comeback, she signed off at the event having helped Australia take bronze and scoring 30 points in the Third Place Game.
It seemed as if the fairytale farewell had been signed, sealed and delivered, but the Aussie GOAT had other ideas.
It wasn't her 'Last Dance' - it looks like Paris 2024 will be. But even then, could she still yet make it to the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 in Germany?
First, a trip down Olympic memory lane.
Home comfort at Sydney 2000
Even if she had already turned heads by playing at the 1998 edition of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, Jackson was still only a teenager when she got to debut at the Games.
"It was super special because it was in West Sydney where my dad’s side of the family was from," recalled the forward.
"I spent quite a lot of time there and my dad even worked with his company building the main stadium. The village felt like home and I just remember that it felt like such a special vibe.
Back then we were so good and during those years, I definitely took it for granted.
"I was just so young and had no idea what to expect. It was all so new, but I didn’t feel under any pressure. It was a lot of fun. To be honest, I don’t even remember a lot about the on-court stuff."
For the record, Jackson took silver as the Opals won every game up until the title contest against USA. In a jaw-dropping Olympic debut, the 19-year-old amassed almost 16 points per game and was her team's leading scorer - as well as the third best in the competition.
Although reflecting back, Jackson admitted that she possibly didn't quite recognize the level of talent the Opals had during her era.
She confessed: "I think throughout my whole career I took for granted the fact that we were so good and that we were so successful.
"I think I just expected that we would walk into tournaments and win them, and obviously now looking back and being with the [current] team, I know how hard it is to get to the party.
"Back then we were so good and during those years, I definitely took it for granted!"
Closer to gold than ever at Athens 2004
If Jackson had started to slide onto the women's basketball radar in Sydney, by the time that Athens came around in 2004, she was in the absolute middle of it. Not least because she was in the process of being crowned one of the new Opals' leaders.
She said: "Athens was again a really special time. It was almost a passing of the guard, because for Sandy [Brondello] and Trisha [Dykstra] and some of the older players it was their last Olympics. The likes of them and Rachael Sporn were moving on – so it was a a bit of a passing of the torch.
"Overall, I actually don’t remember a lot, but I do remember my parents flying out halfway through because we had a really good shot at winning it and we felt like we could."
It was at that point in looking back, Jackson quickly paid tribute to Penny Taylor - the other half of what was developing into the Opals' one-two punch as they tried to apply the pressure on USA.
Even if they came up short again by losing in another Final, Jackson and Co could barely have done anymore. She was the leading scorer in the competition with a breathtaking near 23 points per game, as the Opals only just missed out thanks to slightly better USA side.
"I think Penny is such an incredible player," she declared.
"We just thought we could win. I am not saying USA were unbeatable, but they were a very, very good team. Even when I retired, people asked if not getting an Olympic gold medal was my biggest regret, but I have always said no."
Pressure and expectation at Beijing 2008
In between Athens and Beijing, Jackson and Taylor were the inspiration behind the Opals' greatest ever hour as they were crowned FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup winners. That changed the dynamic and mentality. They had proven to themselves they could conquer and reach the highest step of a global podium.
The flip-side was that heading to Beijing in 2008, expectations were inflated to unprecedented levels and perhaps the outcome of silver against a USA team sore from losing their grip on the World Cup had an air of inevitability about it.
"We had won in 2006 and so we had put a lot of pressure on ourselves, thinking we could win it – but we couldn’t," mused Jackson.
"It was disappointing to finish on a loss again and that is always the hardest part. But we did have a lot of pressure and as one of the best players in the world at that time, I really wanted to get my team the gold medal. But unfortunately we didn’t get across the line again.
She added: "I don’t have any regrets because it was still an amazing journey. It still feels special and it doesn’t feel like it was even real looking back now. It was such a different time and I am much older and a different person [to then]."
Loving life at London 2012
Even if everything didn't go to plan considering it is the only edition when she never made the showpiece title game, Jackson still harbors plenty of love for how things went down for the Opals at London 2012.
"Do you know what? That was one of my favorite Olympics," smiled Jackson.
"We came up against USA in the crossover as we lost to France in overtime I think, so we ended up having to play for the bronze medal.
"To be honest it felt so much better finishing with the rose-gold, much because it was so miraculous we won [against Russia]. We were able to enjoy it and we really had to fight to get onto the podium at least."
"Plus, we didn’t have Penny [Taylor] and again, it was a passing of the guard a little bit because we had Liz Cambage coming in, Jenna O’Hea who went on to be a captain, Rachael Jarry and some of the younger girls, so it was all a little bit different."
There was of course, one other major reason that Jackson can recall London 2012 with particular pride.
She explained: "To also be flag bearer for Australia means it was a very special event for me and an honor. It was all so much fun and I loved every minute of it."
Special family feelings at Paris 2024
A lot has happened since London. Jackson's life has changed considerably. Her outlook has also been shaped by family life, defying the odds and somehow, proving just about everyone wrong to even be stepping out at all.
"All I think about now is my kids – and I just want them to be able to see me in the green and gold," stated Jackson.
"I have already had my best three years in basketball because I have had my kids with me and I have enjoyed it.
"Look, when I retired I had no regrets and had a great 8 years [out of the game]. I had my knee replaced, I had my children, I got a job. I embarked on getting fit as I had put on a lot of weight and that is how I got back into it. I started training and I got in the gym."
Of course, a burning question is whether Jackson knew after the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 and the seemingly perfect finale, that she might have a shot at a surprise Olympic return.
“No I did not. No way - there was no chance I was going to be there," Jackson said emphatically.
"Nothing changed [after Sydney], I just think for me I was so sure that my body was going to give out on me. Obviously I was enjoying the basketball and being back playing again. And, my body did give out as I ruptured my Achilles and broke my other foot.
"But I had a year off and my goal was just getting back into training and being consistent and being back good again - mostly for my kids so that I could play with them.
"Even when I then started to play again, I never thought I would be back standing here [at Paris 2024]. It was never even considering it. I could never look too far ahead as I was too afraid my body would give out again eventually," she added.
But, she did eventually make it - and the 43-year-old could barely be any happier.
"It's the most special thing in the world that my kids are going to be here and also my parents who are looking after them," said Jackson.
"I just can’t believe that I am getting this opportunity and the girls are so great. Even just being here and helping them and bringing my leadership, I know it can make a difference.
"It’s special and I never thought I would be here. I still can’t even believe that I am here," she concluded.
Jackson took only one second to break an Olympic record in her team's opener against Nigeria as she became the oldest ever player (women or men) to play basketball at the Games.
FIBA