Why is basketball in the Olympics?

Question

Baseball and softball were rightly dropped for 2012 and beyond (by the IOC, NOT by the British Olympic Association), because these sports were deemed to have little worldwide interest and because of the predictability of the competition.

Should basketball be removed from the programme for the same reason?

Answer 1

I agree,I hate the game.... similarly handball. How many people have actually heard of the game, let alone played it?

How many sports in this Olympics (not counting football for political reasons) that Great Britain have not got ONE representative in?

Answer 2

Basketball is a completely worldwide interest, it is very common sports in most countries of the world. But baseball and softball are American game, seldom people like them except American. Don't you know Kobe or Nash?

Answer 3

Baseball and softball were exhibition sports, basketball is a medal sport. Baseball and softball should be brought back and made medal sports. Basketball, which is HUGE internationally, second only to "soccer", should definitely stay.

Answer 4

Most of the competitions are predictable.

Basketball is perhaps gaining interest, but who knows why it wasn't dropped.  

Answer 5

Basketball is big in all continents.

It might not be big in Britain but Continental European Basketball is huge.

Answer 6

I was watching a feature on NBC tonight where they were talking about this issue. From what they were saying, the main reason baseball is being dropped is because it doesn't draw the big names due to the Olympics happening during baseball season. Assuming this is accurate, it indicates the IOC is just out for ratings.

I do think lack of international interest is a bogus reason when you consider how big baseball is in the US and Latin America and in parts of eastern Asia. Even if this is accurate, explain to me why events like Handball and Curling remain Olympic sports.

Given how big of a draw it is, I seriously doubt Basketball is going anywhere. While it may not rise to the level of Soccer, Basketball is still a very popular sport in the Olympics. And due in large part to the American "Dream Teams", the level of play around the world has been improving over the last 15-20 years.

I do think the IOC has a valid point in dropping Softball from the Olympics. The US is so dominant in the sport that it's really just an exhibition leading up to a US gold, and there doesn't seem to be much interest in the sport outside of the US.

Answer 7

It should be cut and replaced with Rugby

Answer 8

No, It has been a part of the Olympic games since 1936 in Berlin. And with regards to predictability. Yes the USA has dominated the competition but look at what happened in 2004, Argentina won the Gold. And in sports anything is still possible.

Answer 9

What is basket ball?  

Answer 10

synchornized swimming. beach volleyball. 100m, 200m, 400m, 4x4 relay etc in running swimming etc.

weight categories in boxing taekwondo weightlifting etc.

basketball is a real sport.

Answer 11

    Why should it be dropped?  Simply removing a sport because of one country's dominance only encourages the mentality that the Olympics are about gold medals.  Dynasties are always rising and falling in sports.  If they want to level the playing field, they should take steps to limit all countries effectiveness within their respective dominant events, not just the United States.  Regardless, GB won't place above 3rd in the gold medal totals, so it seems foolish to take such extreme measures.

Answer 12

Ya, its a sorry sport anyways also

Answer 13

no. Many people enjoy watching it and playing it. And the predictability just makes it more fun to watch.

Answer 14

ignorance is bliss.

European countries have been dominate in recent times (Spain, Germany). South America plays and has argentina as a powerhouse, Asia has China who are relishing the sport with the popularity of Yao Ming. Angola are african champions. Australia represent Oceana with NZ. Then theres obviously USA . seems like every continent with people is covered.