Paris 2024: Australian Boomers’ veteran Chris Goulding has declared himself fit for a third Olympic campaign after surgery

Senior Boomer, Chris Goulding says he is fully fit as he chases a third Olympic campaign, declaring the core group has one final chance at glory.

Australian Boomers player Chris Goulding poses at an in-store appearance at QV Shopping Centre. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Australian Boomers veteran Chris Goulding says he is completely fit and good to go after ankle surgery earlier this year, as the national team ramp up Olympic preparations this week in Melbourne.

The Melbourne United captain pushed through a niggling ankle injury throughout the NBL’s five game finals series, which became evident across game four and five of the series. Now the sharpshooter has declared he’s made a full recovery as he strives for his third Olympics.

“It was a really small, minor procedure. I was walking two days later, running a week and a half later. Rehab’s been great, got some good relief from it and I feel good,” Goulding told Code Sports.

“The body feels really good, I got over the NBL season, had a couple things to tune up and for the last sort of six weeks or so have had really good prep and have got myself in a good position.”

Goulding battled a niggling ankle injury during the NBL finals series. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Goulding says he has made a full recovery. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

With the whole Boomers Olympic squad together in Melbourne this week, together for the first time since the forgettable 2023 World Cup, the Tokyo bronze medallist admits that the team is hard at work on areas they need to develop to regain that form that saw them bring home their first ever medal from Japan.

“Team wise we have to be better in certain areas for sure, and the coaches are doing a great job of letting us know where those areas are,” Goulding said from a Footlocker Boomers event on Friday.

“Some of it is on the defensive side of the ball and some of it offensively as well.”

“All these guys are superstars on their respective teams but when it comes to this, we have to take different seats and different roles and whichever role I’m needed to play, I’m happy to do it.”

“Judging by training today, everyone just wants to compete and try and win.”

A new mix of Boomers are competing for a ticket to Paris. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

A World Cup campaign that also saw a new mix of players take to the court together and with a fresh leadership group taking the reins of the national team, the 35-year-old Goulding says the passing of the guard was only natural for a team that’s held a constant core for so many years.

A core group that has one last shot at Olympic glory.

“This is a natural progression of any team. It’s tricky because Joe (Joe Ingles), Delly (Matthew Dellevadova), Pat (Patty Mills), Baines (Aron Baynes) and Bogut (Andrew Bogut) before, they’re legends and stalwarts of this program and always will be,” Goulding shared.

“It’s a balancing act because they’re still so good and effective and also bringing in these new waves of athleticism and talent and NBA players, it’s all been really good.”

“Everyone knows that for some of us it’s going to be our last campaign together so the vibes are really good and all headed in a positive direction.”

The Boomers will host pre-Olympic exhibition matches at John Cain Arena against China next Tuesday and Thursday night.

Originally published as Paris 2024: Australian Boomers’ veteran Chris Goulding has declared himself fit for a third Olympic campaign after surgery