When were professional basketball players allowed in the Olympics?

1992
The 1992 Barcelona Games marked a historic moment for the sport when professional players, including those in the NBA, were allowed to participate at the Olympic Games.

What was the first year that professional basketball players were allowed to play on the Olympic team for the US?

The 1992 United States men’s Olympic basketball team, nicknamed the “Dream Team”, was the first American Olympic team to feature active professional players from the National Basketball Association (NBA).

When did the US finally lose its dominance in Olympic basketball?

1972
The 1972 Olympic men’s basketball gold medal game, marking the first ever loss for the US in Olympic play, is arguably the most controversial in Olympic history. The United States rode their seven consecutive gold medals and 63–0 Olympic record to Munich for the 1972 Summer Olympics.

Why do they allow professional basketball players in the Olympics?

In 1988, the U.S. lost to the Soviet Union in the Olympic semifinal game in Seoul, South Korea, and had to settle for the bronze medal. About eight months later, the rules were changed and NBA players became eligible to play in international competition. They were content for the U.S. to be represented by amateurs.

Why are professional basketball players allowed in Olympics?

Earlier, USA basketball used to send an amateur team to the Olympic games, but the loss in the 1988 games prompted the federation to request the NBA to supply players. This led to the ‘Dream Team’ being formed to ensure that Team USA win a gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

Why are professional basketball players allowed in the Olympics?

What happened to Dream Team?

Cancellation and final series. With declining viewing figures and repetitive storylines, Sky decided not to renew the Dream Team contract, and in April 2006, the director of programmes at Sky One, Richard Woolfe, confirmed the show would not return after the tenth series.

Has the USA basketball team ever lost in the Olympics?

The men’s national basketball team of the United States competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. However, the team won bronze, while losing three games against its opponents, the most games ever lost by a U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team.

Why did the US not accept the silver medal in 1972?

Afterwards, Jones said, “The Americans have to learn how to lose, even when they think they are right.” In the moments following the game, the Americans decided they would refuse to accept their silver medals because Jones had misused his authority.

When did professional basketball players start competing in the Olympics?

Changes to the amateur rules continued to follow, and soon household names were competing for the gold. The IOC allowed professional basketball players to compete in the 1992 Summer Games in Barcelona, launching stars like Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson into a legion of amateurs with the “Dream Team.”

Should professional athletes be allowed to compete in the Olympics?

Today, professional athletes are allowed to compete in the Olympic Games alongside their amateur counterparts. However, two sports continued to resist the onset of professionalism in the Olympics. These are wrestling and boxing.

Why did the US declare NBA players eligible for the Olympics?

So the assumption by a large segment of the media was that American basketball officials were angered by the loss, and thus decided to declare NBA players eligible so the U.S. could reclaim its rightful spot as the best basketball country in the world. That would seem to make sense – except that it is not true.

When did athletes under the age of 23 start competing in Olympics?

One year later, the IOC decided in 1985 to allow professional athletes under the age of 23 to compete in tennis, soccer, and hockey for the upcoming games, per the Times. While it was considered a temporary decision that would take effect just for the 1988 Winter and Summer Games in South Korea, the decision stuck.