CLEVELAND (2016 Rio Olympics) - Anderson Varejao has already had a taste of the Olympics, having competed for Brazil at the London Games in 2012.

As sweet as the experience was, it's not going to match the emotional high of the 2016 edition in his homeland. Varejao admits he is counting the days before the Olympics are staged in Rio de Janeiro.

"It was already an amazing experience to be in London four years ago, but those (2016) Olympics are going to be so special for Brazil and my fellow compatriots," he said to FIBA.com.

I can’t wait to play at home, in front of our fans and family. To be honest, I am kind of counting the days left to be in Rio this summer. - Varejao

Just which Brazil team is going to show up is anyone's guess. The country has at times been spectacular in recent summers. It has also been, however, very bad. At the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Ruben Magnano's side was outstanding through the Round of 16 but then crashed to a heavy defeat to Serbia in the Quarter-Finals.

The players have, for the most part, been able to remember more the good times from that tournament. And there were many.

"We have been showing in the last international tournaments that we can fight for a medal," Varejao said. "That's our goal."

The Cleveland Cavaliers veteran thinks the home support will give the players an extra lift in the difficult moments.

It's always good to play at home because the whole country is going to be supporting us. It’s an advantage. But if we have some bad games, we need to be ready too as the fans want us to win and succeed. We are going to be ready for every possibility, but I am confident and I think that things are going to go very well for us. - Varejao

What Varejao needs to do is make sure that he remains healthy for the rest of the season. Injuries have sidelined him for long stretches in his career.

"All my physical problems are part of the past," he said. "I feel great right now, and I recovered very well from my torn Achilles last year.

"I feel that my legs are more powerful now and I just need to gain some rhythm that will come with some more playing time."

FIBA