BRAZIL
1954
When FIBA chose the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo as the venue for the second
World Championship in their meeting in Buenos Aires during the first edition,
little could they have imagined the problems that this would cause.
Complications affecting the participating countries because the Brazilians authorities refused
entry permits to the European communist bloc countries were compounded by the change of
venue to Rio de Janeiro because the installations in Sao Paulo were unfinished.
When Sao Paulo was selected as host city in 1950 Brazil was still in shock having lost the 1950
football World Cup final against Uruguay. Brazil was vastly superior to their opponents so their
first world title seemed assured. The defeat came as a bitter blow. That July 1 remains as one of
the saddest days in Brazilian sporting history. The Uruguayan goal, scored by Ghigga with seven
minutes remaining silenced the huge Maracana stadium. The sense of extreme disappointment
was felt throughout the nation. What seemed impossible, as so often in the world of sport, had
happened and Uruguay became the new football world champions. This resulted in several
deaths, including a few people who committed suicide being unable to get over the trauma. As a
result, the awarding of the World Basketball Championship was welcomed by both the authorities
and the public at large as a way of redeeming themselves, albeit in a different sport.
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FUNDACIÓN PEDRO FERRÁNDIZ
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP