HistoryData
sports2012

Basketball at the 2012 Summer Olympics — international basketball tournament

January 1, 2012

The 2012 Olympic basketball tournament marked the eighteenth appearance of basketball at the Games, with the US men's and women's teams each defending their 2008 titles.

Quick Facts

Year
2012
Category
sports

Key Facts

Olympic appearance number
18th
Dates held
28 July – 12 August 2012
Basketball Arena capacity
12,000 spectators
Preliminary venue
Basketball Arena, Olympic Park
Knockout/semifinals venue
North Greenwich Arena
Defending champion (both)
United States men's and women's teams

By the Numbers

18
Olympic appearance number
28
Dates held
12,000spectators
Basketball Arena capacity

Location

Map of London, United KingdomMap of London, United KingdomLondon, United Kingdom

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

Basketball has been an official Olympic medal event since 1936 for men and 1976 for women. The United States entered the 2012 Games as defending champions in both tournaments, having won gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, establishing high expectations for continued dominance in the sport.

Event

The basketball tournament at the 2012 Summer Olympics ran from 28 July to 12 August in London. Preliminary rounds and women's quarterfinals took place at the Basketball Arena in Olympic Park, seating up to 12,000 spectators, while men's knockout rounds and women's semifinals onward were contested at the North Greenwich Arena.

Consequence

Both the US men's and US women's basketball teams successfully defended their 2008 Olympic championships, reinforcing American dominance in international basketball. The tournament marked the eighteenth time basketball featured as an official Olympic medal sport, continuing the sport's long presence at the Summer Games.

Result

United States (men's and women's)

at Basketball Arena, Olympic Park / North Greenwich Arena, London

Timeline Context

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