MADRID (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Madrid's historical landmark of Puerta de Alcala on Tuesday became synonymous with basketball as a ball measuring three metres in diametre was displayed in the famed square and will remain there until the end of the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

The ball is a supersized replica of the custom-designed Molten one which will be used at every game of FIBA's flagship event this summer (30 August-14 September).

The event marked the launch of a campaign to promote Madrid as a venue for Spain 2014. The city's Palacio de los Deportes will host Final Phase games, including the Final and Third-Place Game.

The Spanish capital's highest authorities were on hand for the memorable occasion and included: Ignacio Gonzalez, President of the Community of Madrid; Ana Botella, the Mayor of Madrid; and Jose Luis Saez, the President of the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB). They were joined by Spanish basketball legends such as 2006 FIBA World Champion Jorge Garbajosa, 1984 Los Angeles Olympics silver medalist Fernando Romay, EuroBasket Women 2013 champions Amaya Valdemoro and Elisa Aguilar as well as the coaches of the men's and women's national teams, Juan Antonio Orenga and Lucas Mondelo respectively.

The event was enjoyed by hundreds of onlookers and passers-by, with kids given the chance to have some fun and get their picture taken with the Spain 2014 mascots, Ole and Hop.

"This is definitely going to be a party for sports. We want to conquer the streets with basketball," Mr Gonzalez said of the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Ms Botella explained the city's relationship with the sport.

"In Madrid, we love basketball as we have shown in recent years. Madrid is the capital city of basketball and we have 26,000 young players registered in the last year," she pointed out.

For Saez, "the implication of all the authorities is fundamental for the success. Madrid shined in 2007 and now will be another time the capital of sports."

The promotion of the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Madrid will continue in coming weeks with visits to other towns like Alcala de Henares, Aranjuez or El Escorial.

Additionally, all the schools basketball tournaments in Madrid and its region will be supported by the Spain 2014 Local Organising Committee with specially-made t-shirts of the event for all participants.

FIBA