Phenomenal Growth for Women's Basketball: An Around the Rings Special Report

October 6, 2007 - (Atlanta, GA) – In the first of a series on the Olympic sports, Around the Rings presents a special report on the development of women's basketball. The report looks at emerging teams, commercial opportunities for athletes and the qualifying tournaments for Beijing 2008.

"We will produce dozens more of these between now and the Beijing Olympics," says Ed Hula, editor of Around the Rings.

"The reports will look at each sport, the teams that have qualified for Beijing 2008, issues affecting the future of the sport and venues in Beijing."

The full report is to be published October 5, at www.aroundtherings.com.

Seven teams have already qualified for Beijing: China, as host; Australia, the reigning world champion; and continental champions United States, New Zealand, Mali and Korea. The South Pacific champion Fiji is making headlines and showing the truly global spread of the sport.

FIBA president Bob Elphinston and five-time Olympic medalist Teresa Edwards, now on the USA Basketball board of directors, are among those who provide insiders' views on the growth and potential of women's basketball worldwide.

"The women's game is really starting to expand," says Elphinston in the report. "Probably as many women play the game of basketball as do the men."

Around the Rings.com has an ongoing commitment to coverage of federations and sport worldwide. It is the only publication devoted to providing original, on-the-scene reporting about the $5 billion dollar business of the Olympic Movement.

Ed Hula is available for interviews. Contact Sheila S. Hula, via email Sheila@aroundtherings.com, or call ++ 1 404 874 1603, ext. 12.

For a two-week trial subscription of Around the Rings, contact Laura Grundy, laura@aroundtherings.com or call ++ 1 404 874 1603, ext. 17.

Your best source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, since 1992.