Basketball to Begin Before 2028 Olympics Opening Ceremony

Mies (Switzerland), Aug 21 (AP) Basketball at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is set to commence two days before the opening ceremony, the organizers have confirmed. FIBA, the sport's international governing body, announced on Wednesday that it has reviewed and accepted a revised basketball schedule for Los Angeles. Games will start on July 12, 2028, preceding the inaugural celebration on July 14.

It remains uncertain whether the men's, women's, or both tournaments will begin prior to the official start. A preliminary schedule, released last month, indicates that three basketball matches are arranged for July 12 and three additional games on July 13.

"This adjustment permits the quarterfinals to span over two days while ensuring that no game begins earlier than noon, enhancing the experience for players, teams, fans, and broadcasters," FIBA stated in a news release.

Bronze-medal matches are scheduled for July 28 and 29, with gold-medal games slated for July 29 and 30. July 30 marks the concluding day of the Olympics.

Several other sporting events are also slated to start prior to the opening ceremony, including field hockey, rugby sevens, water polo, handball, cricket, and soccer. The canoe slalom competition in Oklahoma City is expected to commence on the morning of July 14, only hours before the opening celebration roughly 1,200 miles (1,931 km) away.

The US holds the status of the defending Olympic champion in both men's and women's basketball. The women's team has clinched eight consecutive gold medals, while the men's team boasts a streak of five. AP SSC SSC

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