The IOC Executive Board has taken the controversial decision not to include any more events because of fears it would lead to extra financial pressure on the Brazilian organisers. 

Other sports who had applied to add new disciplines to Rio 2016 included cycling, who had wanted to include a points race and BMX freestyle and mountain bike eliminator events for both men and women; triathlon, who had hoped to have a mixed relay included; and judo, who were applying to put on a team event involving men and women.

An Olympic Programme Commission meeting scheduled to be held in Lausanne last Saturday (July 6) was cancelled following the IOC Executive Board decision.

Under the rules of the Olympic Charter, the IOC Executive Board are able to add new disciplines without needing the approval of the full membership because the sports are already on the programme.

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) were among those upset by the decision, having been confident that 3x3, which made its international debut at the 2010 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Singapore to worldwide acclaim, would be included. 


They, along with several other sports, disputed the IOC Executive Board judgement that "any request from International Federations (IFs) that would result in a higher number of athletes or increased number of medals, thereby adding to the cost and complexity of the Games, would not be considered", claiming it was unfair.

"We are very disappointed to learn that, as a consequence, 3x3 would not be considered at this stage, based on reasons unrelated to the merits of the discipline," a FIBA spokesman told insidethegames.

"We strongly believe that 3x3 is an exciting and spectacular discipline which offers a unique cocktail of sports and urban culture and would perfectly fit within the Olympic Games and responds to the IOC's clear wish to rejuvenate and modernise the summer programme.