3BA: An Olympic Event
By Demone Gore
Every four years, athletes from hundreds of countries compete against each other in the Olympic Games to win a medal, represent their country and fulfill their dreams. The talent, the years of preparation, and the level of athleticism displayed by these athletes on the biggest sports stage is remarkable and what 3BA has accomplished in the last four years is worthy of a gold medal.
Making it to London for the 2012 Olympics might be too soon for a league already moving at a fast-pace. There are many steps to be taken and considered before a game is an Olympic event, but because basketball has a huge following worldwide, the table might be set for 3BA to possibly be in the Olympics sooner than later.
The International Olympics Committee (I.O.C.) is an organization who has full authority, coordinates the sports, the competitions, and owns all copyrights and trademarks of the Olympic Games.
In order to become an event through the I.O.C., a 2/3 majority vote is needed, be recognized by the I.O.C. for several years and pass through a provisional status for about 2 years. The game must be widely played in at least 75 countries on four continents and be played by women in 40 countries on 3 continents.
The I.O.C. requires each sport to have a governing body that they recognize.
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) is the governing body of international competition for basketball. They are formed by 214 national federations worldwide that regulates, controls, appoints referees, the transfer of players, specifications of equipment, and official rules for international basketball. Many leagues are recognized by FIBA such as The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), USA Basketball and even Beach Basketball.
The game must also adhere to the U.S. Anti Doping Agency and the World Anti Doping Agency who will both do random drug testing.
Many sports are recognized but can't compete for a medal like chess, water skiing, sumo wrestling and roller sports to name a few. Even a sport such as Bowling, which is played by millions, in hundreds of countries is not yet an Olympic Game. Like Bowling, in the 1988 summer games, a sport is sometimes an exhibition game or non-medal game before it's an actual event.
The I.O.C. has recently accepted women's boxing as an event for the 2012 Olympics. Some speculate that this decision was made to eliminate the only sport that had no female competitors. Other's feel this decision was made because boxing is already an Olympic sport and the I.O.C. board does not require the full membership's approval to add women's boxing. Hopefully 3BA, like women's boxing, can compete as an Olympic event, where basketball has already set the stage.
