Press releases

MINSK, 26 January (BelTA) – On 26 January Switzerland’s Mies played host to the official draw of the 2016 FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament which is due in Nantes, France on 13-19 June, BelTA informs.

Belarus will play in Group C together with Nigeria and the Republic of Korea.

Other groups are:

Group A – France, Cuba, New Zealand;

Group B – Turkey, Argentina, Cameroon;

Group D – Spain, China, Venezuela.

Two best teams from each group will advance into the quarterfinal. Four winners of the quarterfinal games will get the 2016 Rio berths. The runners-up will complete for one spot in the 2016 Olympics.

A total of 12 teams will take part in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Seven of them have already been announced. These are Brazil (host), the United States (world champion), Serbia (European champion), Canada (Americas champion), Australia (Oceania champion), Japan (Asia champion), Senegal (Africa champion).

The Belarusian national women’s basketball team finished sixth in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, the only time Belarus played at the Olympic level. The 2012 Olympic gold went to the United States that beat France 86-50 in the final. Australia claimed bronze after defeating Russia 83-74.