FIBA, also known as The International Basketball Federation, is looking to include a new event in the Olympics.
FIBA secretary-general Patrick Baumann spoke with USA TODAY Sports on Thursday, stating that the goal is to include three-on-three basketball in time for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is currently considering the addition, and will make an announcement next June. That doesn't, however, guarantee that the proposal will be approved and added:
I want a favorable response. Expecting (a favorable response) is too much. It’s in the hands of the (IOC) executive committee. I know their thinking, what they like to do, the changes they want to make so of course three-on-three fits very well in that.
This request is not a new one, because FIBA applied to have the new event instituted in the 2016 Summer Olympics, but it was rejected by the IOC with a statement:
Any request from international federations that would result in a higher number of athletes or increased number of medals, thereby adding to the cost and complexity of the games, would not be considered.
FIBA is willing, and would be happy to limit the number of countries involved if that is the only obstacle to approval, according to Baumann.
We've said we're happy to make a compromise, as long as we keep a solid and strong five-on-five competition.
The only thing that could make the Olympics any better is adding more competitions for athletes to compete in.
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