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China joins the trek to Rio
TweetCHINA's men yesterday beat the Philippines 78-67 in the Final to win the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship, qualifying for the Rio Olympics in the process.
Nigeria beat Angola 74-65 in the Final of AfroBasket 2015 in Rades, Tunisia to claim its first-ever continental championship.
Venezuela made history by winning the FIBA Americas Championship for the first time, beating Argentina 76-71 in the Final of the 2015 tournament at the Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City.
A record crowd of 27,372 filled Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille, France to witness Pau Gasol leading Spain to the title at EuroBasket 2015.
What does it all mean?
The first stage of the process to determine the 24 teams – 12 men's and 12 women's – to contest the Rio Olympic Games men's and women's basketball is over.
From June 11 to October 3, 68 men's teams and 50 women's teams from across FIBA's five regions – Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania – battled it out for the short route to Rio.
Seven men's teams and five women's have directly qualified.
MEN
Africa: Nigeria
Americas: Venezuela, Argentina
Asia: China
Europe: Spain, Lithuania
Oceania: Australia
They join 2015 FIBA World Cup champion USA and host country Brazil.
I GO TO RIO: China's men celebrate their success at FIBA Asia.
WOMEN
Africa: Senegal
Americas: Canada
Asia: Japan
Europe: Serbia
Oceania: Australia
They join 2014 FIBA women's World Champion USA and host nation Brazil.
The remaining spots in Rio will go to the teams emerging from the qualifying tournament.
They are:
MEN
Africa: Angola, Tunisia, Senegal
Americas: Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico
Asia: Philippines, Iran, Japan
Europe: France, Serbia, Greece, Italy, Czech Republic
Oceania: New Zealand
A further three nations will compete as hosts of the three qualifying series, from July 5-16, each tourney consisting of six participants.
WOMEN
Africa: Cameroon, Nigeria
Americas: Cuba, Argentina, Venezuela
Asia: China, Korea
Europe: France, Spain, Belarus, Turkey
Oceania: New Zealand
The top five teams from a single 12-team Olympic qualifying tournament will go on to Rio.
The bidding process to host the four qualifying tournaments will conclude on November 23.
Then let's bring it on!
