By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
FIBA, with an announcement, “welcomed” the decision of IOC to move the Olympics to the 23rd of July 2021 and now has to find the optimal dates for the upcoming pre-Olympic qualifiers and, of course, of the continental championships which are scheduled for 2021.
FIBA’s Central Board already met via video conference on the matter, during the 26th and 27th of March. As it was announced, FIBA decided:
- To continue the consultation that started on the 25th of March with hosts of FIBA events at the world and senior continental level in 2020 and 2021 to assess if changes need to be made to the approved FIBA Calendar, and to convoke a meeting of the Competitions Commission (National Team Competitions Sub-committee) in that regard. The FIBA Executive Committee will take appropriate decisions after the dates of the Tokyo Olympic Games are announced.
- To invite the FIBA Zone Boards to take the necessary decisions regarding the impact of Covid-19 on youth continental events, club continental competitions managed by the Regional Offices, sub-Zone events, as well as allocation of hosts for 2021 onwards.
So while the Eurobasket 2021 can be rescheduled – and the slot of the 2022 summer remains open – for the moment there’s no decision on the matter, with FIBA being in contact with all parties involved.
After all, FIBA has, at this point, the luxury of time to take into account every possible scenario and make the best decision, provided that the COVID-19 epidemic gets under control soon.