The host of 2014 World Champs

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PR N°54 - France readies itself for 2014 FIBA World Championship battle





GENEVA (FIBA) - As part of their tour around the world to meet the candidate countries to host the 2014 FIBA World Championship, FIBA President Bob Elphinston and FIBA Secretary General and IOC member Patrick Baumann sat today in France's capital with executives from the French Basketball Federation, led by their President Yvan Mainini, and with officials from the Ministry of Sport.



France, along with China (already visited last week), Denmark, Italy and Spain is one of the five candidates interested in hosting the 2014 edition of the FIBA World Championship.



During the meetings held today in Paris, the French Basketball Federation and the Government authorities have expressed their utmost confidence in the growth of the popularity of basketball in their country and in their ability to organize a perfect 2014 FIBA World Championship, as demonstrated by the successfully staged World Cups in both Football (2002) and Rugby (2007). In addition, the President and the Secretary General of the International Basketball Federation have answered questions related to the bid process and the requirements set for those aspiring to host FIBA's premier competition in 2014.



On 5th December 2008, the above-mentioned five national federations are due to confirm their bid by formally presenting their candidature files to FIBA in a public presentation ceremony to be held in Geneva, Switzerland.



The next stop of FIBA's trip is Madrid and, immediately after, Rome. Copenhagen will be visited at a later date.



For the complete information on the bidding process for the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Men, please refer to Press Release # 52/2008 or to the following link.

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