"We never give up hope," Patrick Baumann, FIBA's secretary general, told insidethegames in an exclusive interview.

"We always hope there is a door that can get opened and it is possible for Rio," Baumann said, while adding: "although it's difficult to be honest."

He went on: "[The IOC] had a decision last summer and it is in their competence to take that decision.

"The ball is in their hands...

"It is still a long shot for Rio.

"Change has become more and more complicated for everybody, but you never know.

"It would be against our own objectives if we don't keep pushing until the end."

The IOC's Executive Board left several sports disappointed when it decided last July not to include any more events because of fears it would lead to extra financial pressure on the Brazilian organisers who have been faced with a dramatic downturn in the country's economic performance since Rio was awarded the Games in 2009.

On one level it is hard to quibble with the IOC's prudence, yet it is fair to say that basketball appeared one of the sports most hard done by, since 3x3 looks to chime so well with one of the Movement's most urgent priorities: that of enhancing its relevance and appeal to young people at a time when more and more alternative attractions are easily accessible via smartphones and PCs.

The IOC is, of course, now under new leadership and insidethegames understands that FIBA has written directly to Thomas Bach, the new President, making it clear that, should there be an opening, the federation remains ready to act without burdening the Rio Organising Committee with extra costs.

I would expect Bach, in time, to show greater flexibility than his predecessor, Jacques Rogge, over implementing changes to the Olympic sporting programme.

However, Bach needs to balance this, for now, with a sober and realistic assessment of what Rio is capable of handling, bearing in mind that other sports will clamour for changes if they sense that a U-turn from last July's ruling is on the cards.

3x3 basketball is popular with youngsters and does not require much new infrastructure ©FIBA

Some sort of discussion of the longer-term direction of the sports programme is expected when IOC members assemble in Sochi next month, but it is by no means clear that this process would include any consideration of specific changes for 2016.

Rio is already making provision for two extra sports - golf and rugby sevens - that were not included at London 2012.

Baumann indicated in the interview that FIBA might be willing to countenance a reduction in the number of players in regular Olympic basketball squads if it would help get 3x3 into Rio 2016.

However, he made it clear that a reduction in the number of teams - there are currently 12 countries in both the men's and women's Olympic basketball competitions - would be far more problematical.

Brazil itself would probably be favourably disposed to including 3x3 at Rio if officials were confident that they had the organisational capacity, both for social reasons - the sport is easily transportable into rural areas and favelas - and because their teams would be strong.

Baumann's comments came as FIBA published a media release labelling 2013 a "breakthrough year for 3x3", which pits two teams of three players against each other on a standard half-court.

It said the first FIBA 3x3 All Stars, an event rewarding the best players in the 3x3 individual world rankings, with $120,000 (£73,000/€88,000) in prize money, had been broadcast in 84 countries, with a reported audience of 20 million in Latin America.

The discipline was now played on all continents; 105 countries had seen at least one promoter joining FIBA's digital platform for 3x3 in 2013.

Baumann said FIBA was "very thankful to Rio 2016 for their continued support in our efforts for the inclusion of 3x3".

FIBA "strongly believe that 3x3 is an exciting and spectacular discipline which offers a unique cocktail of sports and urban culture and responds to the IOC's clear wish to rejuvenate and modernise the Summer programme".

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