3x3 - Heat turns up for historical 3x3 World Championship

ATHENS (FIBA 3x3 World Championship) - On Thursday, the inaugural FIBA 3x3 World Championship will get underway with players from a total of 32 countries set to take part in six different competitions.

Although temperatures in Athens are set to rise above 40°C over the course of the four day event, players will be spared the midday sun, with games beginning at 18:00 local time and lasting beyond 23:00.

As the evening temperatures drop, the heat will rise on the four specially designed outdoor courts located in front of one of the legendary Zappeion, arguably the oldest Olympic building in the world.

There will be medals and world titles handed out to the best teams and players of the Men's event, the Women's event, the Mixed event, the Shoot-Out contest, the Dunk contest and the Skills challenge.

FIBA Secretary General and IOC Member Patrick Baumann said: "The inaugural FIBA 3x3 World Championship marks the beginning of a new era for elite international basketball.

"The response has been incredible with interest spanning beyond the participating countries.

"The Zappeion, with its rich Olympic history, is the perfect location for a discipline that we very much hope to see at the Olympic Games in the near future."

"Our thanks go to the Hellenic Basketball Federation," he added.

"They have recognised the huge potential of 3x3 basketball and have provided an outstanding venue, setting a benchmark for all future World Championships.

"For the first time ever in international basketball we will see Men and Women taking to the courts side by side.

"We are set for a truly historical event."

FIBA