Latvia, Azerbaijan 3x3 teams secure Olympics tickets
Latvia men's and Azerbaijan women's 3x3 basketball teams claimed the tickets to the Paris Olympics after they won the first FIBA 3x3 Olympic qualifying tournament in Hong Kong on Sunday. Eight teams per gender have participated in the Universality-driven Olympic Tournament 1 [UOQT 1] in Victoria Park, with only the winners of each gender qualifying directly to Paris 2024. In the men's category, reigning gold medalists Latvia booked their place into the Olympics with a 19-14 victory over Austria. Nauris Miezis was the star player for the side yet again as he put up five points and seven rebounds in the final that saw him named MVP of the event. Latvia joins Serbia, the United States and China, who have directly qualified to Paris 2024 based on the FIBA 3x3 Federation Ranking as of November 1, 2023. In the women's category, Azerbaijan defeated Poland with a thrilling 18-17 victory, led by Tiffany Hayes who collected six points in the final. Hayes took home MVP honors, putting up 32 points while creating throughout in a superb tournament for her side. Azerbaijan joins China, the U.S. and France as the teams through to Paris. The UOQT 2 will be staged in Utsunomiya, Japan from May 3 to 5, before the last tournament takes place in Debrecen, Hungary from May 16 to 19.  The winners in Japan and the top three teams per gender in Hungary will book their places at Paris 2024. (Xinhua)