FIBA decision on team GB Olympic hopes in early 2011

ISTANBUL (2010 FIBA World Championship) – FIBA, the world governing body of basketball, is to spell out what criteria the British Basketball Federation must meet if Team GB is to take part in the London 2012 Olympics.
 
Patrick Baumann, Secretary-General of FIBA, will write to the Federation outlining the key areas that must be addressed after the issue was discussed at the FIBA Central Board meeting in Istanbul. FIBA delegates are also to meet the BBF before a final decision is made by the Central Board, probably in March.
 
Baumann said: “It is always of value to have the host nation playing in the Olympic basketball tournament and we have no doubt the British public will support the competition.
 
“In addition, we have always said that Team GB needs to be competitive and we have been impressed by both the performance of the Team GB men and women in qualifying for next year’s EuroBasket.
 
“However, our concern is the long-term development of basketball in Great Britain and what the legacy will be for the game once the 2012 Olympics in London are over.
 
“This is a great opportunity for basketball to develop in the country and we want to ensure there are strong roots in place which will enable the sport to grow and flourish in the same way it has elsewhere in Europe. We want to see Great Britain become a basketball nation after the games.
 
“I will be writing to the British Basketball Federation setting out the specific areas where we would like to see progress and if these are satisfied then FIBA sees no reason why Team GB cannot compete in 2012.”
 
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