MIAMI – When it comes to the Olympics, Dwyane Wade is thinking more about 2016 than 2012.
MIAMI – When it comes to the Olympics, Dwyane Wade is thinking more about 2016 than 2012.
The Miami Heat guard is more than an interested observer in the 2016 Olympic selection process, which ends Friday when the International Olympic Committee will choose between Rio de Janeiro, Madrid, Tokyo and Wade’s hometown of Chicago.
"I think it’ll be a great thing for my city to get this," Wade said. "We’ve shown we really want it."
Chicago’s chances likely got considerably stronger Monday when President Barack Obama like Wade, another Chicagoan said he will travel to Copenhagen later this week for the IOC selection meeting.
Wade, who was among the hundreds of athletes and celebrities who lent time and support to the Chicago bid committee, was delighted by the president’s decision.
"Like icing on the cake," Wade said.
Wade is a two-time Olympian, having been part of both the Athens and Beijing Games. He was the leading scorer for the Americans last summer in China, when the "Redeem Team" won gold.
The executive side of that Beijing team has committed to the 2012 Games in London; Jerry Colangelo will continue to serve as USA Basketball’s chairman, and Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski will return as coach.
Still unclear: Will LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and other players from Beijing want to do it again?
Wade certainly sounds like he’s considering a third Olympic appearance, but likely won’t commit until other core members of the Beijing squad confirm their intentions.
"If the guys come back, as someone said if the ‘Rat Pack’ comes back, then I want to be a part of that team," Wade said. "That’s where I am at now. I haven’t talked to Coach K or Mr. Colangelo about it, but I’ve talked to some of the players about it. They know that my commitment is there if they’re back."
For now, though, 2012 can wait. There’s Chicago 2016 to worry about first.
"I did a lot of things for them," Wade said. "I’m very hopeful. Very hopeful."
