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From Foxsports.com.au
Serbian star skips Games
From correspondents in New York
July 29, 2004
WORLD basketball champions Serbia and Montenegro will be without their best perimeter scorer, Peja Stojakovic, at the Olympic Games.
Stojakovic, a three-time NBA All-Star, said his decision not to go to Athens is irreversible – even though people in his homeland are urging him to change his mind.
"No way. I already spoke with the team officials. We talked about it, and it's done," Stojakovic told The Associated Press. "I'm not going to go."
Stojakovic will be in Greece during the Olympics, fulfilling the end of a three-month stint in the Greek army. He holds duel citizenship in Greece and Serbia-Montenegro.
Stojakovic said he plans to watch the Games with friends from the beach in Thessaloniki, where he keeps a home. Stojakovic's girlfriend, who also lives there, is expecting a baby in two to three weeks.
"I've played for the national team for six years," he said.
"Every summer there is something going on – the world championships, the European championship, the Olympics. I just felt tired."
His fellow Serbian players "understand guys need to rest after they have a long season. They still have a lot of good young guys," said Stojakovic.
His absence could hurt Serbia-Montenegro's medal chances.
Serbia-Montenegro, Spain and Lithuania are considered among the top European contenders to advance in the medal round.
"I don't know what kind of chances they'll have," said Stojakovic. "I wish them the best and I'm hoping for the best."
Fellow NBA player Vlade Divac, who was Stojakovic's team-mate in Sacramento for six seasons before signing with the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this month, is also expected to sit out the Olympics.
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,10279044-23769,00.html
........................................................................................................
Fair enough I spose!.
Serbian star skips Games
From correspondents in New York
July 29, 2004
WORLD basketball champions Serbia and Montenegro will be without their best perimeter scorer, Peja Stojakovic, at the Olympic Games.
Stojakovic, a three-time NBA All-Star, said his decision not to go to Athens is irreversible – even though people in his homeland are urging him to change his mind.
"No way. I already spoke with the team officials. We talked about it, and it's done," Stojakovic told The Associated Press. "I'm not going to go."
Stojakovic will be in Greece during the Olympics, fulfilling the end of a three-month stint in the Greek army. He holds duel citizenship in Greece and Serbia-Montenegro.
Stojakovic said he plans to watch the Games with friends from the beach in Thessaloniki, where he keeps a home. Stojakovic's girlfriend, who also lives there, is expecting a baby in two to three weeks.
"I've played for the national team for six years," he said.
"Every summer there is something going on – the world championships, the European championship, the Olympics. I just felt tired."
His fellow Serbian players "understand guys need to rest after they have a long season. They still have a lot of good young guys," said Stojakovic.
His absence could hurt Serbia-Montenegro's medal chances.
Serbia-Montenegro, Spain and Lithuania are considered among the top European contenders to advance in the medal round.
"I don't know what kind of chances they'll have," said Stojakovic. "I wish them the best and I'm hoping for the best."
Fellow NBA player Vlade Divac, who was Stojakovic's team-mate in Sacramento for six seasons before signing with the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this month, is also expected to sit out the Olympics.
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,10279044-23769,00.html
........................................................................................................
Fair enough I spose!.
