Applause for Argentina basketball veteran Luis Scola one of the unexpected highlights of the Tokyo Olympics
sport basketball tokyo olympics argentina australia boomers luis scola
Paul Kennedy www.abc.net.au paul-kennedy
An ovation for the departing basketballer Luis Scola was generous and true. In a stadium without fans, it was almost intimate, one of the unexpected highlights of the Tokyo Olympics so far.
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A spontaneous ovation for the departing basketballer Luis Scola was generous and true.

In a stadium without fans, it was almost intimate, one of the unexpected highlights of the Tokyo Olympics so far.

Scola, 41, is a champion of international basketball: Olympic gold medallist and 10-year NBA veteran.

In the last minute of his losing quarter final against Australia, the forward went to the bench.

It wasn't his choice, but it allowed both teams and coaching staff to acknowledge his contributions and achievements.

They simply stood still and applauded; it was a display of respect from the Boomers, who have looked to foreign NBA pioneers like Scola for inspiration.

The referees put their whistles away and let the moment last a long time.

Scola hugged his coach Sergio Hernandez, waved to the Boomers' bench, and cried.

His teammate Facundo Campazzo consoled him.

Sometimes players are ready to let go of their careers.

Others, like Scola, go reluctantly.

His tournament has been a good one; he hadn't expected Argentina to lose to the Aussies.

But time was nodding at him.

"I'm 41," he said.

The finish line is there for all athletes, including the best of the best.

The moving tribute to Scola came hours after Pau and Marc Gasol played their last game together for Spain, defeated by the United States.

Giants, all of them.