• Players’ Commission of IBF is concerned about Lille hosting basketball.
• FIBA cites concerns over health and safety of players.
• Lille is about 130 miles north of Paris.

The transfer of the Paris 2024 basketball tournaments to Lille was the topic of a Friday online meeting of the International Basketball Federation’s (FIBA) Players’ Commission.

“Regarding the upcoming Olympics in France, the Players’ Commission expressed concerns about the Group Phase of the basketball tournaments being staged in Lille,” a news release from FIBA announced.

“The Players’ Commission cited worries about the health and safety of the players in a stadium with a retractable roof during the summer.

“They also expressed concern about the distance between Lille and Paris since it will essentially prevent the players from having the full Olympic experience and staying in the Athletes’ Village, while several teams would also have to miss out on attending the Opening Ceremony,” it added.

Following discussions with FIBA and the IOC, the Paris 2024 Board of Directors determined in July 2022 that preliminary basketball matches would take place at Lille’s Pierre-Mauroy Stadium. North of Paris, Lille is located roughly 130 kilometres.

According to Paris 2024, handball players will be able to compete in Paris by having the opening round of basketball matches in Lille. Previously, Lille was assigned to host the whole handball schedule. If the basketball preliminary rounds are relocated outside of Paris, the handball preliminary rounds can take the place of basketball.

The venue proposals still require final IOC approval.

According to Olympedia.org, if permitted, it would be the first time that basketball Olympic competitions have been staged this far away from the Olympic host city. The Forum in adjacent Inglewood hosted all of the basketball competitions at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.

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