MEXICO CITY – Canada has failed to earn a berth in the 2016 Rio Olympics after falling to Venezuela 79-78 on Friday in the semifinals of the FIBA Americas basketball championship.
The Canadians will now play for bronze against the loser of the other semifinal matchup between Argentina and Mexico, which goes later Friday.
Canada needed to advance to Saturday’s championship match to qualify for Rio through the FIBA Americas. The men’s team will, however, have one more opportunity to earn a spot in Rio next summer at the world qualifying tournament.
Kelly Olynyk score 34 points and added 13 rebounds for Canada while Brady Heslip chipped in with 10 off the bench.
Windi Graterol led Venezuela with 20 points.
Canada’s men’s squad hasn’t participated in the Olympics since Sydney 2000.
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