After 'roller-coaster' Olympic qualification, Canada's Amihere back on court with Athletes Unlimited

Laeticia Amihere couldn't watch anymore.

The Mississauga, Ont., native was in the stands in Sopron, Hungary, as the home team took a 46-27 halftime lead over Spain in an Olympic basketball qualifying tournament in February.

If Hungary won, it would book its ticket for Paris while eliminating Canada. If Spain somehow pulled off the comeback, Canada would reach its fourth straight Olympics.

But with Hungary holding a 19-point advantage, Amihere, the Atlanta Dream player and one-time Olympian, left the stadium and headed straight for her hotel room.

Then, all of a sudden, Amihere heard screaming in the hallways.

"I just immediately knew what happened. I didn't know how it happened, but I knew that it was a good thing."

Indeed, Spain had completed the improbable comeback, halting Hungary's Olympic hopes and pushing Canada through to Paris.

Disaster averted.

"It was really a big sigh of relief, a lot of crying and a lot of emotions. The vibe is all over the place and chaotic. But after everything happened, we all said 'let's move on from here. We leave all that behind and now it's time to work,'" Amihere said.

AMAZING