[Nash has played on and off for Canada’s National team in World Chamionships and Olympic Games. In the past when he has declined, he has said that he’s simply too tired from the regular NBA season and needs a break.
It get’s a bit complicated, for some of the athletes who are professional sports team athletes - they often have riders in their contracts that will not allow them to take part in extraordinary compeitions such as the Olympic Games. They often have to seek an exemption from their Pro Team to do so. It’s not as straight-forward as you think. For example, because the winter Olympic Games typically occur in the middle of the NHL’s season, the whole league has to shut down for two weeks for the Olympic Ice Hockey Tournament. Short sited team owners view this as lost revenue. It certainly is not unanimous that the league does this - but overall it is good for ice hockey.
Personally, it’s a bit dispointing that Steve Nash is not playing for Canada in the Olympic Games. A player of his ability and talent level, at his position, elevates the play of the whole team.** ]**
However, this is not an issue in soccer.
Fred.