Tuesday August 19, Nanjing. On the 4th day of the Youth Olympic Games, the Wutaishan competition venue offers a striking contrast. In the table tennis room, the Chinese public cheers for each point scored by its player, Liu Gaoyang, in the semi-final of the women's tournament. China as we imagine it, willingly nationalist and a fan of table tennis. Further down, the 3x3 basketball complex looks like a campus. Relaxed atmosphere, music, relaxation. In the front row of spectators, the Frenchman Yvan Mainini, president of FIBA. On his right, Jean-Pierre Siutat, the president of the French Basketball Federation. Two rows higher, the Swiss Patrick Baumann, secretary general of FIBA and member of the IOC.
In Nanjing, 3x3 basketball set the scene for its second Youth Games tournament. He made his debut in Singapore in 2010. A successful first, by all accounts. This time, FIBA and Chinese organizers spiced things up with a dunk contest for boys and a 1-on-1 shooting event for girls. Tantalizing. And, let's admit it, quite consistent with the idea of an event presented by the IOC as a youth festival and a laboratory of ideas.
The presence of Ivan Mainini and Patrick Baumann prominently in the stand does not deceive: FIBA sees further, for 3x3, than just the YOG field. She had tried, in vain, to push the discipline into the program for the Rio Games in 2016. The IOC politely refused her. But the International Federation is not giving up.
A “light” version of so-called traditional basketball, 3×3 has already acquired a solid schedule. The headliner is a world championship, organized every two years. The 2014 edition took place in June in Moscow. As a bonus, a World Tour of five stages, every year, with stops in Lausanne, Tokyo, Rio, Prague or Istanbul. Patrick Baumann explains: “In the spirit of FIBA, 3×3 must go beyond the usual indoor venues and meet the general public, in cities, without fear of landing in unusual places. In Manila, Philippines, we recently held a tournament in a shopping mall. People followed the games from the upper floors. »
The formula has the merit of simplicity. A reduced format pitch, a single basket, teams of 4 players, including a single substitute, a single 10-minute period. “Technique and skill are more decisive than physical power,” explains Patrick Baumann. As a result, all sizes can express themselves there. But you need excellent cardiac resistance because the meetings are very intense. »
Juan Rosales, a player from Guatemala, explains: “In 5v5, each player inherits a very specific role and they must stick to it. There, you have to know how to do everything. It's more fun. And the score can change very quickly. »
At a time when the IOC has opened the ideas box, as part of Agenda 2020, FIBA thinks that the moment is undoubtedly right to get a foot in the door. Yvan Mainini has never hidden his desire to try everything to impose 3x3 at the Summer Games. Not a foregone conclusion, but the game is surely worth it.
