Kazan, a city located about 800 km east of Moscow will host one of the three Olympic Qualifying Tournaments for women between April 19-27.
The United States is the highest ranked team in the tournament, standing at No.11 in the latest FIH World Rankings. India follows closely at No.13, the Netherlands Antilles (20), Russia (21), Belgium (28) and France round out the tournament field.
The winner of the Kazan Olympic Qualifier will earn one of the three remaining spots in the 2008 Beijing Olympics this coming August. The other two spots will be filled by the winners of the Azerbaijan (April 12-20 in Baku Azerbaijan) and Canada (April 26-May 4 in Victoria, Canada) Qualifying Tournaments.
The United States has not competed in the Olympics since the 1996 Atlanta Games.
USA Field Hockey head coach is Lee Bodimeade with Bustin one of the assistant coaches. USA had chance to qualify for the Olympics – but lost the title contest to perennial foe Argentina in the Pan American Games.
India took part in the Olympics only once in 1980 Moscow Olympics and finished fourth. They will be eager to earn a berth especially in the aftermath of their men’s team’s historical failure to be in the Olympic company in 80 years. MK Kaushik is India’s chief coach and he is assisted by AB Subbaiah and Vasu Thapiliyal
World Hockey Olympic Qualifying Tournament
19-27 April 2008, Kazan (Russia)
Participating Teams: Belgium, France, India, Netherlands Antilles, Russia, USA