Baumann Hints At GB 2012 Spot

By Sam Neter on March 5, 2011

Patrick Baumann, FIBA Secretary General and one of those will vote in ‘the decision’ on whether GB basketball will get a host nation spot at London 2012, has stated GB’s chances of competing in next year’s Olympics are “not too bad”.

In an interview with BBC Sport, when asked directly what his personal thoughts are on whether GB will get to compete at 2012, Baumann responded:

“I think it doesn’t look too bad, but there still needs to be a convincing story about what happens the day after when the Games finish, and that’s the hurdle. “

With FIBA due to vote on GB’s inclusion in exactly one week’s time (March 13th) at a board meeting in Lyon, France, the British basketball community waits nervously on edge for a decision that Baumann feels is monumental to the future landscape of basketball in the United Kingdom:

“It’s going to be a historic decision. It can be the start of an amazing journey for Britain. This is a unique opportunity to turn this country from a football country to a basketball country.”

“It’s a moment when British basketball’s leaders can define their future – and it’s all on their shoulders.”

What do you think? Are things looking more hopeful for our place at 2012? How big do you think ‘the decision’ is for the future of British basketball? Drop a comment and let us know!

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