The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has released a comic strip titled La Valise d'Eliane, which tells the story of Swiss player Eliane Girod's journey at the 1953 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.
The FIBA website stated on Monday that the comic was launched to coincide with International Women's Day on March 8, as a tribute to the history of the first edition of the Women's Basketball World Cup held in Santiago, Chile in 1953.
The comic's publication also feels even more meaningful because March 7th is the first day of the tournament, which coincides with Girod's 100th birthday in 2026.
FIBA said the work was inspired by Girod's diary entries during the historic tournament.
He was a player for the Swiss basketball club Chene-Bougeries, which dominated domestic competition by winning 13 consecutive national championship titles from 1942 to 1954.
Girod was also one of three players from the club who represented the Swiss national team at the 1952 FIBA Women's EuroBasket, a year before appearing at the 1953 Women's Basketball World Cup.
