Olympic basketball has a rich history, beginning in 1936 when it was first introduced at the Summer Olympics in Berlin. The secure website 1xBet is something that you can use to wager on the Olympics whenever they take place too.
The sport’s inclusion was a result of its growing popularity in the United States and across the globe. At that time, basketball was played only as a demonstration sport, meaning no medals were awarded. It was only in 1948, at the London Olympics, that basketball became a full Olympic sport, with teams competing for medals. The 1xBet website is the best place for making secure bets on other basketball competitions too.
An explosive growth
Initially, only men’s basketball was included in the Olympics, with teams from 23 countries participating in the inaugural men’s competition in 1936. The United States, the birthplace of basketball, dominated the early years of Olympic basketball, winning gold in every Olympics from 1936 to 1968. You may want to try the 1xBet casino online for players before the next Olympics take place.
The sport grew in global stature over the decades, with nations such as the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, and Brazil emerging as significant contenders. By the 1980s, basketball had become truly international, with various countries investing more in the development of the sport. The online casino for 1xBet players can be used prior to the next big basketball game with big teams.
The addition of the “Dream Team” to the 1992 Barcelona Olympics marked a turning point in the sport. The United States assembled its first-ever team of NBA superstars, with 3 big names of that team being:
- Michael Jordan;
- Magic Johnson;
- and Larry Bird.
They dominated the competition and won gold with ease. This event is often credited with further globalizing the sport of basketball.
The women’s sport
Women’s Olympic basketball debuted in the 1976 Montreal Olympics, with the Soviet Union winning the first gold medal. By the way, at http://1xbet.co.ke/live you can find live wagers on basketball matches too.
The event quickly gained traction and has been a staple of the Summer Games since. Like their male counterparts, women’s basketball teams from the United States, the Soviet Union, and later countries like China, Australia, and France, began to play an integral role in the global competition. All these teams can always be wagered at the 1xBet website as well.
Through the years, Olympic basketball has continued to evolve, with athletes such as Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Diana Taurasi elevating the sport’s profile. It remains one of the most exciting and widely watched Olympic sports to this day.
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