MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — It's been eight summers since Yelena Leuchanka and the Belarus women's national team have suited up for the Olympic Games. But the former Mountaineer will take the court once again, this time in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, when competition in women's basketball begins August 6, just the second time in Belarus' history that the women's national basketball team will participate in the Olympics.
In 2008, Leuchanka was in awe of the scene in Beijing, China when Belarus competed in the first Games of the country's history. After having played limited minutes at West Virginia University from 2003-06 before a shortened stint in the WNBA due to injuries heading into 2008, Leuchanka wasn't sure if basketball was a career path that was going to pan out. But then she made the Olympic squad for her home country.
"The first time is a different kind of experience. For me at that point in my career, I didn’t think it was possible. Going through so many injuries while I was at WVU and in the WNBA, it was exciting," Leuchanka told me in a phone conversation on her way to a training session last week. "People ask me about the experience, and for me, the most memorable thing was that first day that we played. Seeing your flag and hearing the anthem playing and realizing that you’re surrounded by greatness and you’re around the best athletes, that’s everybody’s dream."
Still, to this day, the overall experience is something Leuchanka can hardly find the words for.
"Being in the Olympic Village is amazing. Just walking around and realizing that you’re surrounded by hard work, dedication, blood, sweat, tears, everything… I literally have goosebumps just talking about it now," she said.
This time around, now that Belarus has qualified for the 2016 Rio Games, Leuchanka, 33, will be taking in the Olympic scene for the second and final time of her career.
"In 2008, it was my first Olympics so I was wondering if I’d ever get to experience it again," she said. "Now, I’m realizing this is it. There won’t be another Olympics for me. I’m getting older and I’m not going to play all my life, you know? I’m just trying to enjoy it. I want to take in every moment."
Not much has changed, stats-wise, for Leuchanka since those 2008 games. In fact, her numbers have gotten slightly better. Despite multiple knee surgeries, various other injuries and a career that's included double-digit teams, Leuchanka still feels confident in her ability to play the game at a high level. And for good reason.
In the 2008 FIBA qualifying tournament, the 6-foot-5 center averaged 12.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. This year, she posted 12.6 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.
Speaking of numbers, the tall blonde averaged a double-double of 13.8 points and 10.0 rebounds during the 2008 Olympic Games, leading Belarus in both categories en route to a sixth-place finish in Beijing.
"I don’t know, maybe it was the fact that I didn’t play much at WVU, but I train hard and I know what kind of player I am and what I bring to the table," Leuchanka said when asked if those numbers from 2008 surprised anyone. "I always give everything that I have. I wouldn’t say it was a surprise for me. I always command the best out of myself. I was just going out there and being a leader on my team.
"I feel great. People compliment me and I appreciate it, which is nice. But it hasn’t been easy," she added. "I’ve had to change the way I train and work out, so I’m always trying to work on my game. But I don’t feel like it matters how old you are, there are always ways to grow. I always keep that in mind."
Even though her statistics have to be a talking point when mentioning Belarus' chances in this year's Olympics, one thing the 6-footer isn't thinking about is that sixth-place finish from 2008.
No. For her last go-round, she wants more. Especially after starting off this year's qualifying tournament with an 84-70 loss to China, forcing Belarus to have to claw its way to a spot in Rio.
"We haven’t talked about it. I was devastated after we lost to China. Then realizing you had to play more games to try and qualify, it was kind of overwhelming. We were just trying to enjoy the moment. Now, things are winding down so we’re going to be setting new goals instead of talking about last time," Leuchanka said. "You have USA, Australia, France, Spain… those are some great teams. It’s not easy to play and go out there and do your best. I’d love to do as good as last time, but we hope to do even better."
Come August, when Leuchanka and Belarus go through the emotions of being back in the Olympics for the second time in the country's history, the one-time Mountaineer plans to soak it all up, then leave it all out there.
"The game of basketball has been so good to me. It’s taken me to great places with great people and now basketball has surrounded me with greatness," Leuchanka said. "I just want to be present in that moment and really be aware of what’s going on so I have full memories of that."