IOC Rule Out Extra Disciplines at Rio 2016

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided against adding any other disciplines to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games programme.

The decision was made by the IOC Executive Board who felt adding sports such as 3×3 basketball could add extra financial pressure on the organisers.

Other sports who applied for extra disciplines included cycling, who wanted to add a points race and BMX freestyle and mountain bike eliminator events, triathlon who applied for a mixed relay and judo, who wanted to see a team event included that involved men and women.

Under the rules of the Olympic Charter, disciplines can be added without approval of the full membership due to the sports already being on the programme.

A spokesman from the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) told insidethegames: “We are very disappointed to learn that, as a consequence, 3×3 would not be considered at this stage, based on reasons unrelated to the merits of the discipline.

“We strongly believe that 3×3 is an exciting and spectacular discipline which offers a unique cocktail of sports and urban culture and would perfectly fit within the Olympic Games and responds to the IOC’s clear wish to rejuvenate and modernise the summer programme.

“We are very thankful to Rio 2016 for their continued support in our efforts for the inclusion of 3×3.”

The sports are expected to try to add the extra disciplines for the 2020 Olympics, something that FIBA confirmed in regards to 3×3 basketball.