International basketball governing body FIBA announced its entry into the Olympic World Library Network, marking the first time an International Sports Federation has become part of the OWL network. The move underscores a shared ambition to preserve and disseminate Olympic knowledge across continents.
At the heart of this collaboration lies the FIBA Pedro Ferrándiz Library, housed in the federation’s headquarters in Mies, Switzerland. Recognized as one of the world’s largest basketball collections, it comprises more than 9,000 books, 800 magazine titles and over 2,000 game and tournament programs, forming a comprehensive archive of the sport’s history.
A Milestone for Basketball Heritage
Yasmin Meichtry, interim Director of the Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage, welcomed FIBA’s participation, emphasizing that the partnership paves the way for other International Sports Federations to join the OWL Network. Andreas Zagklis, FIBA Secretary General, highlighted the importance of making the Pedro Ferrándiz Library accessible online, noting that it will enrich the OSC’s existing collection of over 42,000 publications and 17,500 digital documents.
Maria Bogner, Head of the Olympic Studies Centre, added that the collaboration not only expands the network’s resources but also reinforces the role of sport in cultural education. Theren Bullock Jr., Head of the FIBA Foundation, stressed that the partnership is crucial for preserving and promoting basketball’s cultural heritage for future generations.
The OWL Network, managed by the Olympic Studies Centre, functions as a library catalog, information portal and search engine for Olympic-related materials. By integrating FIBA’s extensive basketball archive, the network strengthens its mission to serve researchers, educators and enthusiasts worldwide, ensuring that the rich tapestry of basketball history remains openly accessible.