Britain's men's and women's basketball teams can skip qualification phase and compete in the 2012 London Olympic Games with a special exemption given by the world governing body of the sport on Sunday. The international basketball federation (FIBA) made this decision at a central board meeting after receiving guarantees that the host will improve its long-term basketball program after the Games.

"We are delighted that FIBA has rightfully given both the men's and women's British basketball teams the opportunity to compete for Team GB in front of an enthusiastic home crowd at the London 2012 Olympic Games," said Andy Hunt, the British team's chef de mission.

FIBA secretary-general Patrick Baumann revealed in a news conference that Britain convinced the central board of its competitiveness and provided a solid legacy plan for the sport after the Olympics The British men's team includes NBA stars like Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng and Ben Gordon of the Detroit Pistons.