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FIBA wants 16 teams in Olympic Games

London Olympic GamesOlympic basketball tournament could be expanded to 16 teams already in 2012 London Olympic Games. FIBA president Bob Elphinston gave an interview to the official FIBA website declaring that international basketball federation is pushing IOC (International Olympic Committee) to have four more teams in Olympic tournament.

According to Elphinston, Beijing Olympic Games were meant to show the quality of the teams as well as the level of the competition. These Olympics had the largest number of medal contenders in history.

Many great teams miss the biggest sporting even because there are only 12 places in Olympic Games. In order to give them a second chance and the tournament tougher, it was decided to create Olympic Qualifying Tournament which was held in Greece.

Europe has the largest number of top quality teams. Three tickets to the Olympic Games were taken by Greece, Germany and Croatia.

However, there are teams that don't even make to the Olympic Qualifying Tournament but would be able to compete in Olympic Games if they were in. Such examples are France, Italy or Turkey.

Currently direct qualification goes to the host country, World Champions, African champions, Americas champions and runners-up, Asian champions, European champions and runners-up, Oceanian champions.

Olympic Qualifying Tournament is composed of African 2nd and 3rd place winners, Americas 3rd and 4th place winners, Asia 2nd and 3rd place winners, European 3rd – 5th place winners and Oceanian runners-up.

A potential format of the Olympic Tournament has not been published yet.

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