BEIJING (Olympics) - Ieva Tare feared the worst on June 13 in Madrid when she crashed to the court at Madrid’s Telefonica Arena and landed on her elbow at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women.

Latvia were on their way to a convincing triumph over Angola when Tare, who had scored 25 points in the game, went down hard and didn’t get up.

“When the injury happened,” the 34-year-old Tare said to FIBA.com, “I said to myself 'Why did it happen to me?' But two days later when I arrived back home (in Latvia), I was really determined to go to the Olympics so I worked hard to recover.”

Thankfully for Tare, she had just enough time to return to get the elbow strong enough so that she could compete at the Beijing Games.

Though she has not been at her best because of the injury, Tare would have walked all the way from Riga to Beijing if she had to in order to realize a dream of playing at the Olympics.

She gave this interview to FIBA.com after Friday’s defeat to Australia.

FIBA: Ieva, we didn't know if you would make it to the Olympics after suffering the elbow injury during the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Spain. How does your elbow feel now?

Tare: It's getting better. I cannot say what percentage I am right now, but all I know is that I feel better day after day.

FIBA: It must have been difficult to deal with the injury, especially so close to the Olympics. How determined were you to play in Beijing?

Tare: When the injury happened, I said to myself 'Why did it happen to me?' But two days later when I arrived back home, I was really determined to go to the Olympics so I worked hard to recover.

FIBA: Did you ever fear you would not make it?

Tare: When I got injured, everybody told me that I wouldn't recover in time. I thought to myself, yes I will recover and I will play at the Olympics. So I'm very happy to be here in Beijing. This is great, a dream come true to be representing my country at the Olympics.

FIBA: Ieva, you led your team in scoring with 14 points in the 96-73 defeat to world champions Australia. That was your team's third defeat of the tournament and left Latvia in a must-win situation against Korea on Friday just to have a chance of reaching the quarter-finals. How confident are you going into that game?

Tare: We know we have to beat Korea and I hope we do. I think Korea is a similar team to Japan (Latvia beat Japan at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament). We will need to prepare with the coaches as Korea is a hard team to play against but we will fight.

FIBA: Whatever happens on Friday, your team has already made history, having qualified for the Olympics for the first time. How famous are you and your team-mates back in Latvia?

Tare: Everyone is watching right now on TV and basketball is right now the number one sport in Latvia which is fantastic for women's basketball. This is very good considering next year we are hosting the EuroBasket Women.

FIBA