The Impact of Olympic Gold for the 3X3 Unites Community
On Monday, August 5th, the entire Netherlands held their breath at 10:58 PM as Worthy de Jong took a step back and aimed for a two-pointer in the final seconds of the shot clock. Less than 2 seconds later, the release came. Suddenly, everyone in the Netherlands knew about 3x3 basketball, Worthy de Jong, and the Dutch team. In an instant, everyone understood the rules of 3x3, the players, and the electrifying dynamics of the sport.
We know better than anyone that sports can have a profound impact on people. Since 2016, we’ve been using the unique characteristics of 3x3 basketball to teach young people life skills and train them to become 3X3 Leaders, who then make a difference in their neighborhoods by offering free 3x3 activities. A key part of what 3X3 Unites does is provide opportunities for personal growth, both as individuals and as players. Elite sports play an important role in this. Athletes show that even the highest mountains can be climbed. Team NL’s Olympic gold showed that this is also possible in a sport that is so beloved in the Netherlands, yet where global success or Olympic gold once seemed out of reach.
Elite sports also play an important role in the personal development of the young people within our 3X3 Unites community. This is one of the reasons why we organize a series of elite sports events each year, including the 3x3 PRO League and the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Amsterdam Masters. Organizing these competitions annually creates employment for around 100 3X3 Leaders, who in turn learn new skills and see how they can further develop personally. This has created an ecosystem where everyone within the 3x3 community impacts each other, and we all continue to grow together.
To relive the Olympic success and showcase its impact on the basketball community in the Netherlands, we’ve compiled a collection of articles, posts, and messages that we enjoyed the most over the past week. Care to join us in the celebration?
Our favorite items on the impact on the basketball community
- NOS: Op het pleintje van Worthy de Jong dromen ze ook over een Olympische 3x3-finale (NL)
- EditieNL: 3x3 Goud en het veld van Worhty de Jong (NL)
- De Volkskrant: Dromen van goud op het basketbalveldje van Worthy de Jong. ‘Hij spreekt de taal van de Bijlmer-jeugd’ (NL)
- Parool: Na de gouden worp van Worthy de Jong is 3x3 the hottest sport in town. Ook op het veldje in de Bijlmer. (NL)
- NRC: The shot is legendary vinden de 3x3 basketballers in Amsterdam Zuidoost (NL)
- Dagblad van het Noorden: Gouden 3x3 olympiërs geven basketbal in Nederland een boost. 'Als ik mijn basketbalschoenen aantrek, vergeet ik alles' (NL)
Our favorite items celebrating olympic success
- Trouw: Ook bijlmerjongens kunnen de spelen halen bewijst vlaggendrager Worthy de Jong (NL)
- AD: Worthy de Jong is na zijn gouden schot de Nederlandse Micheal Jordan. Dit gaat de hele wereld over. (NL)
- Volkskrant: Worthy de Jong deed wat hij op de pleintjes in de Bijlmer leerde. (NL)
- NBA.com: Netherlands edge host France in OT for gold in men's basketball 3x3
- BBC: France denied another gold as Dutch snatch dramatic win
- CNN: Olympic moment of the day 3x3 basketball
- Instagram en TikTok: @vicccle: Hoe heel Nederland gisteren in 10 minuten fan werd van een sport waarvan ze een week eerder nog niet wisten dat die uberhaupt bestond (NL)
- Instagram en TikTok: @sarcaster: De rol van Worthy de Jong in mijn leven (NL)
Would you like to see our Olympic heroes shine with your own eyes? You can! On October 12th and 13th, Worthy de Jong and the other gold medalists will be playing at the Gashouder in Amsterdam during the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Amsterdam Masters. Get your tickets today!