Despite the COVID-19 pandemic pushing back the 2020 Summer Olympics a year, Victoria, B.C, will remain the host of a FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament.
The men's tournament, which was originally scheduled for this June, will now take place in British Columbia's capital from June 29 to July 4, 2021. The field will consist of six teams, including Canada, trying to book their place at the Tokyo Olympics next summer.
“Communities across the Capital Region, Canada and around the world continue to show tremendous resiliency in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Clint Hamilton, chair of Friends of Victoria Basketball, said in a statement.
“If we continue along this positive path we’re on, hosting the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament next summer in Greater Victoria will be something we can all look forward to as a chance to witness world-class sport, celebrate our collective perseverance and the determined spirit shown in overcoming this global crisis.”
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Team Canada will be looking to clinch a spot in the Olympics for the first time since 2000 when it finished seventh. There is renewed optimism for the Canadians, who won their only medal, a silver, way back in 1936. Canada has the second-most NBA players (22), behind only the United States and four of those have already committed to play for their country in the qualifier that was scheduled for 2019 — RJ Barrett, Jamal Murray, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse, who said back in April the postponement was "disappointing, but I can wait," will lead the charge for Canada and was at the helm at the 2019 World Cup where Canada finished 21st.
“Next summer’s FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament will be a much welcomed occasion to realize the power of sport and help unite our country," Glen Grunwald, president & CEO of Canada Basketball, said in a press release. “Let’s all plan on coming together to cheer on Team Canada to a berth in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.”
“Representing your country is one of the greatest honours in sport,” he continued. “I know our players will see the challenge ahead of them next summer as one small opportunity to recognize the daily sacrifices of all the frontline workers who are keeping our country safe and operating during this pandemic.”
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The other five nations competing at the event will be China, Greece, Turkey, Uruguay and the Czech Republic. Canada will face China and Greece — and most likely the "Greek Freak" Giannis Antetokounmpo — in Group A while the other three teams will face off in Group B.
Three other qualifying events will take place in Croatia, Lithuania and Serbia. The winning team from each tournament will earn a spot in the 2020 Olympics, joining Nigeria, Argentina, Australia, the United States, Iran, France, Spain and Japan as nations who have already qualified.
