GENEVA - Basketball's governing body will ask the IOC to add four men's teams for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, and introduce the 3-on-3 game as a medal event.

FIBA says its ruling board will request a 16-team men's competition being played in two arenas instead of one.

FIBA says a natural bracket of four-team groups, rather than six, means fewer matches and keeps players fresher.

IOC rules limit team events to 12 nations unless its executive board gives special permission. FIFA has 16 men's soccer teams.

The IOC has rejected previous FIBA requests for 16, citing concerns over increasing a 10,500-athlete quota for local organizers to house.

FIBA introduced the 3-on-3, half-court version of basketball for men and women at the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympics.