By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
Patrick Baumann was in Greece last weekend in order to attend the FIBA 3X3 world championship and he was genuinely pleased, because “specially Greek basketball federation (EOK) have proved many times its ability to organize world class events”.
With the help of our colleague Yiannis Lampiris, Eurohoops.net had the chance to pose some questions to mr. Baumann, concerning the future of basketball at the Olympics. The FIBA sectetary general said about 3X3 basketball: “I believe that 3X3 will win more and more fans and will grow very fast. I like what I am seeing, all the people mingling, having fun and seeing a great show. It’s not the same, like seating down in a 20.000 seats venue for a game. There are many changes in scenery, many games and it’s more like a happening, where someone could bring all his family to enjoy the show, like having a night out”.
That’s why he hopes that we will soon see 3X3 basketball at the Olympics: “Imagine in Rio, at Copacabana, courts all over the beach with men and women playing basketball. It would be fantastic. We have good chances to achieve the inclusion of 3X3 at the 2016 Olympics”.
Bauerman believes that the London basketball tournament was the best argument for expanding the teams from 12 to 16 at the Olympics: “Spain gave a hard night to Team USA, which had a great roster with three superstars in their primes (Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant). It was the best for basketball and even teams like the hosts, Great Britain, which almost beat Spain, hold their ground. Also we had two teams from Africa, something that “wounded” Greek pride, but it was good for world basketball”.
Why, then, IOC denies the expansion to 16 teams? “I think, and this is something that we have talked about many times, that it’s time for 16 teams. There is a problem with the general number of athletes. There mustn’t be more than 10.500 athletes in the Games and the limit was almost exceeded in London. And also the world federation of volleyball and water polo want to expand their Olympic tournaments, so it’s a difficult situation”.