GB Basketball Teams Get Go-ahead For 2012

The world governing body of basketball, FIBA, finally gave approval for Great Britain’s men’s and women’s teams to compete as hosts, at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The long-awaited decision was finally granted at a central board meeting in Lyon on Sunday.

The GB teams would have struggled to qualify as of right for the London Games, but will now compete as hosts after GB Basketball had been asked to prove that there would be long-term investment in the sport after 2012.

Great Britain men’s forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu said: ‘The thought that I could miss out on the Olympics in my home town has been haunting me for a while but now it’s something to look forward to and start preparing for’.

Basketball is currently the only Olympic sport that requires approval by the world governing body, concerning the host participation at the Games.

Great Britain and Chicago Bulls player, Luol Deng added: ‘This is great for basketball back home. Basketball has been getting better and better and this is another step to where we want to get to’.

In order to gain the approval, FIBA insisted that GB produce a plan for the sport, outlining the legacy of basketball post-2012.

Andy Hunt, British Olympic Association chief executive said: ‘We are confident the British players will inspire new generations of basketball players across the UK’.

GB Basketball has released a plan called ‘Towards 2016’, which is designed to develop the game domestically as well as improving the GB team to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

Hunt added: ‘It represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the sport to significantly increase its participation and profile, and leave a lasting legacy throughout the UK’.