By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
On Wednesday, FIBA was supposed to celebrate the induction of 12 new members in its hall of fame – players Jean-Jacques Conceiçao of Angola, Teresa Edwards and David Robinson of the United States, Andrew Gaze of Australia, Paula Gonçalves of Brazil and Zoran Slavnic of Serbia, coaches Cesare Rubini of Italy, Pat Summitt of the U.S., the late John “Jack” Donohue of Canada, referees Costas Rigas of Greece and Valentin Lazarov of Bulgaria and also contributor Aldo Vitale of Italy – but the news of FIBA Europe’s president Olafur Rafnsson’s death changed everything.
Rafnsson was found dead in his hotel room at Geneva, where he traveled for the induction ceremony. The cause of his death is still unannounced. According to FIBA Europe bye-laws (chapter IV, article 12), Cyriel Coomans as vice-president having the most seniority will assume the duties of the president.
As FIBA Europe informed, because of Rafnsson’s death: “1) There will be a moment of silence before all EuroBasket Women 2013 games at Lille on 20 June and at Vendespace on 21 June. 2) All flags on flag poles will be lowered to half-mast till the end of the tournament. 3) The FIBA Europe flag will feature a black ribbon on its top left corner till the end of the tournament”.