PR N°4 - Olympics D-Day looms for British Basketball
LONDON (2012 London Olympics) – FIBA, the world governing body of basketball, said today that the decision on whether to allow Great Britain teams (men and women) to play in the London Olympics would be “the most important in the history of the game in the UK.”
FIBA prepares to take decision on Team GB participation in London 2012
LONDON (2012 London Olympics) – FIBA, the world governing body of basketball, said today that the decision on whether to allow Great Britain teams (men and women) to play in the London Olympics would be “the most important in the history of the game in the UK.”
Delegates from FIBA’s Central Board will make their ruling in Lyon next Sunday (13th March) after considering submissions from the British Basketball Federation.
According to International Olympic Committee (IOC) regulations, the world governing body has the right to decide whether or not the host nation’s teams – both men and women – are granted automatic spots in the Olympic basketball tournament.
Patrick Baumann, Secretary-General of FIBA, said: “GB teams have made great strides by demonstrating their competitiveness at the top level in Europe in men’s and women’s events.
“The progress on the court has been excellent with qualification for this summer’s EuroBasket tournaments. We strongly believe that the GB teams could become powerhouses of world basketball if the right measures are put in place for the future development of the game.
“According to our surveys, basketball is one of the most popular sports among youngsters in the UK and there now needs to a robust legacy plan to capture and retain this passion and enthusiasm and take the game onto the next level once the 2012 Olympics are over.
“We want to ensure that the 2012 competition is the best in Olympic history but also that basketball can progress from the wings to the centre stage of British sport. For that reason, the Central Board decision is the most important in the history of basketball in the UK.”
The ruling will be announced by the 22-strong Central Board next Sunday and will be streamed live on www.fiba.basketball. The venue for the next FIBA World Championship for Women in 2014 will also be unveiled with Australia and Turkey as the finalists for that honour.
For further information, please contact:
FIBA Press Office on +41-22-5450000 or communications@fiba.com
LEWIS PR on +44 (0)207 802 2626, 07817 271349 or fibauk@lewispr.com
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