By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
In the aftermath of the Rio Games and a basketball tournament which indeed proved to be the end of an era, every one is still trying to rate the success of the Olympic Games. While the opinions for what happened on the sports aspect of the games and also on the logistics of the event are still an open debate, even if the general consensus is that things could have been better, one of the main stories of the game received almost minimoum attention.
The arrest of the head of the European Olympic Committees, Irishman Patrick Hickey, who faces three potential charges – facilitating ticket touting, forming a cartel, and “ambush” or illicit marketing – went almost unnoticed with exception of Ireland and the UK even if there’s even a video of his arrest. As “The Guardian” notices, Hickey is not the only case of alleged corruption in the ranks of the International Olympic Committee, however for the moment at least he is the only one directly connected to European basketball.
You may not remember it, but Patrick Hickey oppenly supported FIBA’s ban of national teams which ultimately was not imposed. To be exact he was the only IOC member who did so openly. Of course, this connection doesn’t mean anything in the big picture and does not imply that Hickey’s practices have anything to do with FIBA. However, it’s still a reminder that when organizations and committees that in theory have as their main goal to promote the sports ideals are involved in the business aspect of any sport, then it’s more than probable that the business aspect of the sport becomes at least as important to them as the sports ideals. And in the worst case scenario, the sports ideals are just an excuse for doing business…