AUS – Nielsen reaches into own pockets to play in Beijing

GOLD COAST (Olympics) – Matt Nielsen couldn’t play at the 2006 FIBA World Championship for Australia because of an insurance problem with his club in Lithuania, Lietuvos rytas.

Two years later and the forward will captain the team at the Beijing Games.

Nielsen, 30, desperate to play in his second Olympics, paid a significant portion of his insurance in order to suit up for the Boomers.

“I ended up covering it, but I didn't want to live the rest of my life not going to an Olympics for that reason,” Nielsen said.

“Not the ideal way to end up at the Olympics by paying it, but that's the way it is.''

Australia have made Nielsen the captain, and he’s thrilled with the opportunity.

"Yeah big time,” he said. “It's an honor to play for your country and something you aspire to when you're a kid.

"But to captain the team in an Olympics is the highest honor I think I can imagine.

"It's something I take pretty seriously."

Australia are in Group A at the Olympics with Argentina, Lithuania, Iran, Croatia and Russia.

FIBA