After many weeks of discussion, the International Basketball Federation seems more and more inclined to make Lille an Olympic ground for its discipline.
This is a soap opera that has already been going on for some time. But where will the group stage for basketball be played at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games? The question is beginning to find an answer since the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), through the voice of its secretary general Andreas Zagklis, is optimistic about an agreement with Paris 2024 to play this phase at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium.
This soap opera comes from COVID-19, which forced Paris 2024 to save money. Basketball was initially to take place in Hall 6 at Porte de Versailles, but the place did not satisfy the basketball world. FIBA then put pressure to change the location and Paris 2024 therefore proposed the Pierre-Mauroy stadium for the first week of basketball. Nevertheless, some people consider that being located in Lille is like a downgrade. FIBA expressed its disagreement and asked to be closer to the Olympic village, where many people have to be accommodated. Consequently, FIBA asked to study other sites but the Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (OCOG) did not wish to follow up on this possibility. Indeed, despite a succession of expert reports, the situation has not changed, mainly for economic reasons.
Thus, the meetings should take place in Lille but a last technical detail will have to be settled. FIBA believes that the LOSC enclosure can be dangerous for players, particularly due to the humidity. Project groups have been set up to solve this problem, but the economic dimension could become restrictive. About to relocate? This is not the trend today, especially since time is running out…
