China, Italy, Spain bid for 2014 basketball worlds
Posted Dec 5 2008 5:31PM
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.
- 2010 All-Star Ballot
- 2009-10 Season Preview
- Free Agent Tracker
- 2009 Playoffs
- 2009 NBA Draft
- twitter.com / NBA
- NBA on Facebook
- Transactions
- 2009 Awards
- Officiating & Rules
- 2009 All-Star
- Coach bios
- Hoopedia
 | Pacers vs. Bobcats The Bobcats blow out the Pacers in Tyler Hansbrough's first trip back to North Carolina. |
 | Chalmers to Wade Mario Chalmers hits Dwyane Wade with a perfect alley-oop. |
 | Hornets vs. Heat: First half Dwyane Wade has 16 points as the Heat lead the Hornets 59-52 at the half. |
 | Celtics vs. Knicks Kevin Garnett hits a jumper at the buzzer to give the Celtics the win in overtime. |
 | Game Winner KG hits a huge shot at the buzzer in overtime to give the Celtics the win. |
 | Buzzer-Beater Marcus Thorton drains a running jumper to beat the 1st quarter buzzer. |
 | Hammer Time Dwyane Wade blows right by Devin Brown for the vicious one-handed jam. |
 | Quick Hands Derrick Brown picks the pocket of Danny Granger and finishes down at the other end. |
 | Slam Dunk Gerald Wallace drives down the middle and tosses down a dunk. |
 | Pistons vs. Suns Preview The Pistons head into Phoenix to take on the red hot Suns on NBA TV. (SUN 8:00 PM EST) |
NBA.com is part of the Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network