Rio 2016 Basketball Preparations Beat Expectations

(ATR) Members from the International Basketball Federation and participants in the sport’s test event tell Around the Rings the work to finish Carioca Arena 1 should be commended.

The basketball test event for Rio 2016 is on from Jan. 15-17 in the new arena in the Olympic Park. Australia, Argentina Brazil, and Venezuela sent women’s basketball teams to compete in the test event, while wheelchair basketball will also be tested on the final day of the event.

Lubomir Kotleba, former FIBA sporting director who stayed on as an advisor through the 2016 Games, said that even though basketball will be played at two arenas across town, the sport will be showcased very well during the Games.

"We are much further than we expected to be a couple of years ago, the arena is here, and of course we are satisfied," Kotleba said to ATR.

"The small arena it is under construction but we think it will be done on time. Ideally FIBA prefer to have one arena, so we don’t have to share with anyone and it makes it easier for the costs of organizers, but that is easy to say and not to realize because the Olympics are getting bigger and costs are bigger so everyone is trying to cut expenses."

Kotleba added that since Brazil has, at times, been a powerful country in basketball, the sport will not necessarily get the exposure boost other sports get from the Games. He said it remains very important the organization is perfect so the home country team can be one the fans rally around to make the tournament successful.

"It is an unwritten rule to have a good home team wherever not only for the Olympics, but it is good for the competition if the team is strong to drum up interests," Kotleba said.

"Brazil knows it and they will definitely work very hard to bring the best team with the best preparation that is becoming for the sport. "

Tournament participants agreed with Kotleba’s assessment of the arena, highlighting the facilities and deeming the court worthy of an Olympic Games.

"It is very beautiful stadium and has a really good atmosphere and feeling. When I first walked in here I was really excited, I had good feelings," Erin Philips, a shooting guard for team Australia, said to ATR.

"The floor is fantastic I feel really good to play on it and practice on it and it has good spring on it. We have been really well looked after, the hospitality has been so good. I can see the people and staff and volunteers are really excited for this event and for the Olympics. It is going to be fantastic."

Seven months remain until the Olympic opening ceremony, and basketball qualification continues for both the men’s and women’s tournaments.

Phillips’ coach agreed with her assessment, and said it was well worth the long journey for Australian players to venture to Rio to get match practice against potential Olympic opponents in the tournament’s venue.

"As far as our preparations go we couldn’t do anything better than coming in and playing these Games," Brenan Joyce said to ATR. "This event is awesome for us. There is nothing like coming into the venue and experiencing it for ourselves."

Written by Aaron Bauer in Rio de Janeiro

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