Australian legend Lauren Jackson believes the Opals can end America’s Olympic dominance after Liz Cambage committed to go to Tokyo

Without Liz Cambage, the Opals were little chance of ending US Olympic dominance but with her commitment locked in one legend says their gold medal hopes have skyrocketed.

A Tuesday commitment to the Tokyo Olympics from outspoken Opals star Liz Cambage has reinforced Australian great Lauren Jackson’s opinion that it’s “their time” to take down the almighty USA.

Cambage confirmed she will join her teammates in Tokyo Olympics despite boycott threats to “sit out” due to racial inequality concerns sparked by team advertisements she believed weren’t diverse enough.

Never shy of voicing her opinion, Cambage also called on Australians to “wake up”, calling the current culture “whitewashed”, which attracted mixed reactions.

Opals officials had privately reached out to the centre to offer support amid fears she would commit to boycotting the Games, but Cambage ended the speculation on Tuesday via her personal Instagram account.

“For everyone so desperately wondering what my decision is for the Opals, I’m in baby,” Cambage said.

“I’m going to play with my sisters that I’ve been playing with since I was a wee little thing.

“And I’m going to ball out for all those young brown kids watching me back in Australia.

“I’m going to do it for you.”

There were fears Liz Cambage would boycott the Tokyo Olympics due to racial inequality concerns, but she ended the speculation on Tuesday by committing to the Games. Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

Cambage also hit out at her critics for questioning the Australian Olympic Committee’s lack of cultural diversity.

“There are two people in this world – there are the people that have the balls to stand up in this world and make change – that is me,” she said.

“I was born for this.

“I’m such a narcissist and psycho bitch that all the hate that you give me, I love it. It turns me on, it makes me go harder and it makes me push for more.

“The second type of people are the scared, intimidated and insecure and hide behind fake profiles because you are too scared to do anything.

“Too scared to take a stance for anything, but don’t worry I’m out here talking my shit and making a change.”

Cambage’s commitment to Tokyo comes as Opals legend Jackson said he Australians were primed to end the US’ Olympic dominance in Tokyo this year.

The Americans have accumulated one of the most outstanding records in any Olympic sports, with a 66–3 win-loss record, with no Olympic losses since 1992, no losses in any tournament since 2006, and a record six consecutive titles.

If they win their seventh straight championship at the Tokyo Games in 2021, they will tie the US men’s basketball team (1936–1968, their winning streak) for the most consecutive Olympic team victories in all Olympic sports, men, or women.

Australian basketball legend Lauren Jackson with current Opals Lauren Nicolson and Katie-Rae Ebzery. Jackson has been announced as an ambassador for the 2022 Women’s Basketball World Cup in Sydney. Picture: Richard Dobson

Despite this daunting record, Jackson was confident the Opals had the squad, including Cambage, to end the USA’s record run.

“I think the Opals can do it this year – I really do,” Jackson said.

“If they get all their ducks in a row, absolutely.

“They are very talented, they’ve got great leadership, Sandy Brondello is an awesome coach, a player’s coach and when they get together, they are good.

“The girls have been waiting (For Tokyo). They’ve had to put their lives on hold for a year and they’ve kept themselves in shape.

“They are ready to go, and anything could happen.

“You watch the Opals play, the desire and they want to be out there - I really feel like it is their time.”

Originally published as Australian legend Lauren Jackson believes the Opals can end America’s Olympic dominance after Liz Cambage committed to go to Tokyo