Great Britain's men's and women's basketball teams have received word they can compete in the London 2012 Olympic Games.
In what is arguably the biggest day for the sport in Britain, world governing body Fiba voted overwhelming to give both GB teams automatic qualification to the Games as hosts at a meeting in Lyons on Sunday.
The decision could be a big boost for the sport in the UK, which is considered to have strong grass-roots foundations but has struggled to gain any real status at senior level in a crowded sporting landscape dominated by football, rugby and cricket.
During the games, the Great Britain teams could find themselves lining up against USA sides featuring a whole host of NBA and WNBA stars.
Representatives of British basketball had been asked to show a long-term investment plan to ensure the development of the sport after the London Games. Both GB teams have already qualified for this summer's European Championship finals but would have struggled to qualify for the Olympics had they not been given home-nation status. However, Fiba were satisfied with the assurances they were given, on the condition that a plan was drawn up for the future governance of the sport across England, Scotland and Wales.
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British Olympic Association chief Andy Hunt said: "The potential for continued growth and future success is tremendous. They have surpassed expectations and there is no question that they are now capable of producing credible performances at the London 2012 Olympic Games."
Hugh Robertson, Britain's minister for sport, added: "This is welcome news from Fiba and I, like the rest of the country, will now be looking forward to seeing both the men and women GB basketball teams compete at London 2012.
“Our bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games was built on a promise for a sporting legacy and this confirmation from Fiba can only be good for the future of basketball in this country at all levels.”
Also on the agenda at the meeting in Lyons was the destination of the 2014 World Championship for Women, which was awarded to Turkey.