China, Italy, Spain bid for 2014 basketball worlds

GENEVA (AP) -- With NBA star Yao Ming offering a message of support, China entered its bid Friday to host basketball's world championship in 2014. Italy and Spain also made presentations to the sport's governing body.

FIBA will choose the host nation in May. Turkey will host the next world championship in 2010. Spain won the 2006 event in Japan.

Patrick Baumann, secretary general of the ruling body, said China would be a leading contender after the successful Olympic tournament in Beijing in August. That tournament was won by the United States.

"China are clearly favorite in terms of coming in with the experience," he told The Associated Press. "Spain is the reigning world champion and Olympic silver medalist. Italy has a strong history and passion for basketball."

Baumann said all three candidates have strong support from their governments to stage the 24-team tournament.

"The respect they have shown us is another level of commitment," he said.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was shown in his country's promotional film receiving FIBA officials at his office. Filmed messages were sent by Andrea Bargnani, whom the Toronto Raptors chose with the first pick in the 2006 NBA draft, and New York Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni, who holds American and Italian citizenship.

Yao, the Houston Rockets center, spoke on film in Chinese in support of his country. Spain's secretary of state for sport, Jaime Lissavetzky, led his nation's presentation, which included a flamenco dance troupe.