A crippling financial crisis, lack of accommodation and unfinished stadia should not effect Lithuania’s ability to host the largest Eurobasket tournament in September, European basketball officials said on Sunday.
The basketball-obsessed Baltic state of 3.3 million people is to host the largest Eurobasket tournament from Aug. 31 to Sept. 18 with 24 teams competing. The top two teams qualify for the 2012 London Olympics.
The country has been hit by the worst economic crisis since it broke away from the former Soviet Union in the early 1990s, while the main 14,500-seat arena in Kaunas, where the finals are to be played, is still under construction, but is expected to be completed in May.
The country is also suffering an accommodation shortage. Panevezys, a town of more than 100,000 that will host Group A matches, has four hotels with just 97 rooms in total.
FIBA Europe officials, however, said they were confident Lithuania would be well prepared.
“The organization is going to be superb ... the government is backing all of this, and consequently I am confident that we will have the best Eurobasket ever,” Nar Zanolin, FIBA Europe secretary-general told journalists at the glitzy televised draw for the tournament in Vilnius on Sunday.
“We feel that more teams will add more to the Eurobasket ... it involves a lot more countries and consequently more spectators,” Zanolin said.
The hosts were given a tough draw in Group A with European champions Spain plus Turkey, Britain and Poland though Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius was confident.
“We love basketball and we love to win,” he said at the draw at the National Drama Theater in Vilnius.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely