By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The FIBA Sport and Competitions Director, Predrag Bogosavljev mentioned via Nova.rs that the 2020 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments are still set to begin on June 23, despite the draw for the basketball tournament of the Olympic Games being postponed. He added that any changes will be immediately shared with the federations and the public.
“The Qualifying Tournaments remain as initially scheduled, for now.” said Bogosavljev, “We are monitoring the situation. We are in constant contact with the International Olympic Committee that plans for the Olympic Games to be held as scheduled.”
Twenty-four national teams were sent via draw to four different locations. Each venue, Victoria, Split, Kaunas, and Belgrade, will produce one Olympic Games berth, barring any last-minute adjustments, in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
“I will not engage in any speculation,” he added, “If new details surface, FIBA will inform its members and the public in a timely manner.”
With the NBA and European league intending to stretch their 2019-20 schedules into the summer, provided health safety is achieved, every participating national team will likely be unable to field its strongest roster this summer.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL