Australia's men's basketball team flies to riot-torn London on Saturday for an Olympic Games test tournament, confident security arrangements are adequate.
Basketball Australia has confirmed the team will take part in next week's tournament, which is set to go ahead with Olympic-style security measures.
It will be the first test event held at the London Olympic Park venue at Stratford, just a few kilometres from where much of the worst rioting around north and east London took place.
Boomers coach Brett Brown said he and his players felt no trepidation entering what has at times in recent days resembled an urban war zone.
"It's a test event for London security as well as the basketball security and we'll be fine," he said.
"They know they'll be under the world's eye and we've got complete faith in the city and Basketball Australia putting us in a position which is safe."
The Boomers will take part in the first game to be held at the Games venue - their clash with China on Tuesday.
And Brown is licking his lips at the prospect of his players getting a first-hand taste of what to expect should they qualify for the Olympics.
China, France, Croatia, Great Britain and Serbia will also take part in the tournament, before the Boomers play two matches against Spain.
"It's a reminder to our players what the end game and our purpose really is," Brown said.
"To visit the actual court and site where we hope to be next year is a motivational aspect that is really something special."
Brown has also flagged his Games selection plan in cutting his 16-man squad down to 14 for the London tournament.
The Boomers are without Andrew Bogut because of insurance wrangles resulting from the NBA lockout.
But NBA player Patty Mills heads a still-formidable squad, which also contains experienced Matt Nielsen, Joe Ingles and Mark Worthington.
Perth Wildcats' Jesse Wagstaff and youngster Hugh Greenwood have been left out - Brown saying he is attempting to select an experienced, match-hardened group for the Olympic qualifiers against New Zealand from September 7, and eventually for London.
Boomers squad: Patty Mills, David Barlow, Joe Ingles, Brad Newley, Matt Nielsen, Aron Baynes, Daniel Kickert, AJ Ogilvy, Aleks Maric, Matthew Dellavedova, Peter Crawford, Adam Gibson, Damian Martin, Mark Worthington.
AAP
Tags: basketball, sport, england, united-kingdom, australia First posted August 12, 2011 16:30:41
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