Jamie Dwyer Wants to Win Gold in Rio Olympics Before Signing Off

Jamie Dwyer has got all the trophies in his cupboard which a hockey player dreams of while picking up the stick and the legendary Australian now aspires a "fairytale" finish to his illustrious career with a gold medal in 2016 Rio Olympics.

Dwyer, the greatest-ever hockey player from Australia, has one gold and two bronze medals in the Olympics, two World Cup gold medals, three Commonwealth Games gold, six Champions Trophy titles and two Oceania cup gold besides two silver medals each in the World Cup and Champions Trophy to his credit.

But the 36-year-old diminutive striker is eyeing another yellow metal in next year's Rio Olympics, in what he believes would be a "fairytale" end to his 15-year-old career.

"Gold medal in Rio," was his prompt reply when asked what else more he desires to achieve in his career.

 "It will be a good finish. I would like to go there and have success. We have a very good team at the moment and I think I can play a role in the team. To be able to play four Olympics would be awesome. Olympics is the pinnacle of our sport," Dwyer told PTI in an interview.

Asked whether he would like to sign off the way cricketer Michael Clarke bid adieu to his ODI career by leading Australia to their fifth World Cup title, Dwyer, who became his country's most-capped hockey player following his 322nd appearance against Canada in the 24th Azlan Shah Cup on Sunday, said, "Why not? Definitely, win and finish would be perfect. It would be a fairytale." (Match report: Australia thrash Canada 7-0)

Till last year Dwyer never had that thought in his mind but a snub from the Australian squad for Glasgow Commonwealth Games made him decide to prolong his retirement plans.

"The way it was ending for me wasn't really nice. If I would have played in the Commonwealth Games, I would have definitely retired. I didn't go there. Things with myself and coach (Ric Charlesworth) weren't very good. I didn't enjoy my hockey last year," said the record five-time world hockey player of the year.

"But I thought if I can keep doing it physically why not give it a shot. I want to enjoy as much I can over the journey to Rio whether I make it or not I don't know but I am gonna give it a crack. 100 per cent Rio would be my last irrespective of whether I make the team or not," Dwyer said.