Basketball Around The Globe
From Hoopedia
The International Basketball Federation was formed in 1932 by eight founding nations: Argentina, Czechoslovakia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Portugal, Romania and Switzerland. At this time, the organization only oversaw amateur players. The abbreviation 'FIBA' derives from the French Fédération Internationale de Basketball Amateur. The Word 'Amateur' was dropped in 1986 after the distinction between Amateurs and Professionals was eliminated, but the name of the organization remains "FIBA".
Basketball was first played in the Olympic Games in 1936, although a demonstration tournament was held in 1904. This competition has usually been dominated by the United States, whose team has won all but three titles, the first loss in a controversial final game in Munich in 1972 against the Soviet Union. Women began to compete at the Olympics only in 1976, with teams such as the Soviet Union (now Russia), Brazil and Australia rivaling the Americans.
In 1950 the first FIBA World Championship for men was held in Argentina. Three years later, the first FIBA World Championship for Women was held in Chile.
