Australian referee chosen for basketball men’s Gold Medal game

Australian referee Michael Aylen will officiate the Gold Medal men's game in London.

Australian basketball referee Michael Aylen has been afforded the ultimate honour for any official and has been selected to preside over the men’s Gold Medal Game at the London Olympic Games between the US ‘Dream Team’ and Spain.

The Victorian will have the unenviable task of keeping NBA stars Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and the rest of the NBA stars on the US and Spanish teams in check when they go head-to-head for the Gold Medal at midnight on Sunday night.

Only 30 of the best referees from around the world are invited to officiate at the Olympic Games, and only the best performed three at the tournament get the honour of refereeing the men’s Olympic Final.

Aylen is one of Australia’s most respected basketball officials and has been named the National Basketball League’s Referee of the Year for the past three straight seasons. 

He has been named the NBL’s best official five times in his career (2004, 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2012).

London is Aylen’s third Olympic Games after he also officiated in 2004 and 2008.  Aylen has also previously refereed the men’s World Championships in 2006 and 2010.