Taylor aims for gold in Rio as Opals roster confirmed

MELBOURNE (Rio 2016 Olympic Games) - Four years after being forced to sit out through injury, Australia's shooting guard Penny Taylor is set to make her Olympic comeback at Rio 2016.

The 35-year-old headlines Australia's 12-player final roster for the Rio Olympics announced by Basketball Australia on Tuesday. 

Australia 12-player final roster for Rio 2016 Olympic Games
Natalie Burton	Elizabeth Cambage	Katie-Rae Ebzery	Cayla George
Laura Hodges	Rachel Jarry	Tessa Lavey	Leilani Mitchell
Erin Phillips	Stephanie Talbot	Penny Taylor	Marianna Tolo

Although Taylor and Erin Phillips missed the Opals' initial preparations due to their WNBA commitments, head coach Brendan Joyce made sure to add the experienced pair.

Both Taylor and Phillips are expected to join the team in the USA, where the Opals will play an international tournament against France, Canada, and the USA.

"London was always a motivator to make Rio but it was also motivation to get healthy and get back playing with the girls.” - Taylor

Taylor, a two-time Olympics silver medallist, and Phillips, who helped Australia claim a silver medal at the Beijing Games in 2008, not only add depth but also bring leadership to a team looking ambitious in Rio, where they will take on Group A opponents France, Japan, Brazil, Belarus, and Turkey.

On Tuesday, the Australians were presented with their symbolic tickets to Rio.

For Taylor, it's all about belief to succeed in Rio. She shared her thoughts about the motivation in going to Rio.

"London was always a motivator to make it to Rio but it was also motivation to get healthy and get back playing with the girls," said the 1.83m guard/forward. 

Although Australia are second in the FIBA World Ranking Women, Taylor is setting bold goals in Rio.  

"Gold is always the goal at an Olympic Games but we know there is a long way to getting the chance to play for that gold medal," she said. "We have a strong team and a very similar team to what we had at the 2014 [Women's] World Championships and I think Brendan has done a wonderful job implementing a system that we love being a part of."

Australia will open their Rio 2016 campaign by taking on hosts Brazil on 6 August.

FIBA