Desiree Scott says gold medal 'still looming' as she considers future
'For now I'm going to relish in this moment of coming home with another bronze medal,' soccer player says
Desiree Scott hasn't even arrived home from the Olympic Games in Rio yet, but she knows she left something behind.
The midfielder for the Canadian women's soccer team was asked about her future plans following the squad's second consecutive bronze medal finish at the Olympics. (They also won bronze four years ago in London.)
"That's the million-dollar question," the 29-year-old Winnipegger said. "For now I'm going to relish in this moment of coming home with another bronze medal, coming home for a week home to just enjoy time with family and friends and celebrate with Winnipeg."
Then she has to get back to finish her season with FC Kansas City of the National Women's Soccer League.
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"After that, it's up in the air. I'm going to take some time to just think and the new year will decide where this will take me," Scott said vaguely.
But when asked if she can see herself back on the pitch at the 2020 Games in Tokyo, during which she'll turn 33, Scott admitted there was a goal she would still like to achieve.
"I want a different colour medal and that has always fuelled my fire. That gold medal is looming over my head," she said. "But that decision's up in the air. I'm not too sure."
Besides, the sheen on the new bronze is still luminous and 2020 is four years away.
I want a different colour medal and that has always fuelled my fire.- Desiree Scott
"It's exciting. All the hours and time, months, away from family and friends, making it count and making it worth it … another medal, I mean, who could ask for something more?"
Team Canada downed the host team Brazil 2-1 at the Rio Games for the bronze medal last week. Until then, Brazil had yielded just one goal in five previous matches in the tournament.
"It was an amazing stadium to play in and a fantastic performance from our team," Scott said.
The victory came only two days after Scott and her teammates were knocked out of the gold medal game by Germany, who dropped Canada 2-0 in the semifinals. Germany eventually went on to beat Sweden 2-1 to win the gold medal.
"We took the night to cry and sort of adapt to our emotions and the next day," Scott said.
"And the team just rose to the occasion. We put everything out there to come home with a medal."