The International Basketball Federation (FIBA), supported by the Brazilian Olympic Committee (BOC) and Brazilian Basketball Federation (BBF), held this Monday, April 30, in Rio de Janeiro, the draw for the Olympic Basketball Tournaments for Men and Women at the Olympic Games London 2012.  This was the first time in history that a draw of groups of an Olympic sport is carried out in Brazil.  The draw took place in the auditorium of the Rio 2016™ Organising Committee and the Brazilian Olympic Committee.

Rio de Janeiro was selected by FIBA thanks to the positive moment the Country is currently experiencing in the international scene and for the fact that the city will host the 2016 Olympic Games.  In addition to the draw of the groups for London 2012, FIBA’s Executive Committee meeting was also held in Rio de Janeiro.

“This is a historical moment for Brazil.  BOC is honored to be able to host this event of global reach.  In addition to FIBA’s recognition of Brazilian sports, this was certainly an additional opportunity for Brazil to show to the world its importance in today’s international sports scene,” stated Carlos Arthur Nuzman, president of the Brazilian Olympic Committee and Olympic Games Rio 2016 Organizing Committee.

In the women’s tournament, Group A, the first to be defined, was formed by the United States, China, Angola and three other teams still to be defined.  Group B was formed by Australia, Brazil, Great Britain, Russia and two other teams that will qualify via the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT), to be held in Ankara, Turkey, in the end of June.

In the men’s tournament, the United States, France, Argentina, Tunisia and two other teams still to be defined formed Group A.  Group B was formed by Spain, Australia, Brazil, China, Great Britain and one more team that will secure its place in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT), to take place in Caracas, Venezuela, between July 2 and 8.

The following attended the draw: Ivan Mainini, FIBA president; Patrick Baumann, FIBA secretary general and member of the International Olympic Committee; Borislav Stankovic, FIBA’s emeritus secretary general; other members of FIBA’s Executive Committee; Carlos Nunes, president of the Brazilian Basketball Federation; as well as athletes who helped build the history of Brazilian basketball, like Erika Souza, Hortência Marcari, Janeth Arcain, Magic Paula, Marcelinho Machado, Oscar Schmidt and Wlamir Marques, who took part in the draw of the groups.

“It is always a pleasure to be in Rio de Janeiro and I thank BOC for receiving us.  In addition to the draw, our Executive Committee is holding important meetings in the city,” stated Ivan Mainini, FIBA president, happy to see important names of the Brazilian basketball at the draw.  “Whenever I see great athletes like those who are here today, I see the great importance of the work we have developed for the future of youth all over the world,” completed Mainini.

FIBA’s secretary general, Patrick Baumann, emphasized the carrying out of the draw in Brazil.  “Brazilian basketball is of great importance and is quite traditional in the international scene.  So much so that it has already qualified for both the men’s and women’s tournaments.  In addition, Rio will host the 2016 Olympic Games,” Baumann explained.  “We are among friends, acquaintances and great athletes who did - and still do - a lot for international basketball,” the IOC member stated.