FIBA, Tokyo 2020 organizers to look for ‘best solution’ on basketball schedule

FIBA and the organizers of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics are in constant talks for the best solution regarding the immediate future of basketball events around the world.

This is after it was announced the Olympics will be postponed, possibly up to 2021.

FIBA already cancelled all upcoming events by mid-March as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In FIBA’s recent press release, the world’s basketball governing body said it honors the decision of the Olympics organizers to have the games postponed.

“The Central Board welcomed the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee’s joint decision to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Olympics to next year. FIBA will continue their discussions with the IOC in order to find the best solution for the scheduling of the Olympic Games and the remaining six Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (two for 3×3 basketball and four for men’s basketball), confirming at the same time that the teams already qualified to the Olympics will retain their spot.”

FIBA was supposed to have four men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQT) for the 5×5 and two more (men and women) for the inaugural 3×3 Olympics.

Japan, the host nation, Nigeria, Argentina, the United States, Iran, France, Spain, and Australia are the 8 teams already qualified for the men’s tournament in the Olympics.