Hockey Family Expresses Sypathy and Solidarity

-Success for Spain

-Greek Men’s Qualification

-Quality in Coaching

The President of FIH, Mrs Els van Breda Vriesman, has expressed sympathy and
solidarity for the people of Madrid following today’s terrorist attacks.

“We join with the people of Madrid in condemning the actions of those
responsible and offer our heartfelt condolences to those many families who
have suffered from these inexcusable actions,” she said.

On the advice of the Spanish authorities and following the agreement of all
participating teams and officials the FIH Men’s Olympic Qualifying
Tournament at Club de Campo will continue.

A minute’s silence will be observed before all games and flags will be flown
at half-mast as a sign of respect.

“The Spanish Government has asked us to show our solidarity with the people
of Madrid by continuing with the event and has promised to institute extra
security measures. FIH respects the Spanish Government in its view that the
tournament should continue while taking appropriate measures to show respect
for the Spanish people.

At a meeting of team managers and officials today all 12 participating teams
expressed support for the Spanish Government request. One team expressed
some concerns and those matters are being addressed. If that team wishes to
withdraw it will be offered the assistance of FIH and the Organising
Committee to rearrange its travel plans.

“I have also spoken today with Jacques Rogge, President of the IOC. He fully
supports the continuation of our event and the view that sport should show
solidarity with the people of Madrid and the Spanish Government in its stand
against terrorism.

“He has also asked me to convey his best wishes to the players and officials
and to the Organising Committee.”

Success for Spain in Madrid

Mrs. van Breda Vriesman, has congratulated the Organising Committee of the
Men’s Qualifying Tournament for XXVIII Olympic Games on its staging of the
event in Madrid.

“The Organising Committee and the venue operators, Club de Campo, have
presented a wonderful setting for this event. There is a myriad of
challenges in organising a tournament of this size, with twelve teams
competing for seven places in Athens,” she said.

“The Organising Committee has worked with FIH representatives to ensure a
high standard of accommodation and cooperation.

“Mercedes Coghen and her committee have assembled a team of hundreds of
volunteers who have shown a great capacity for hard work and enthusiasm.

“I have known Mercedes for many years as a hockey player and she has always
been a role model for athletes. Now she is giving back to our game as an
administrator and she remains a role model in this new capacity.”

Greek Men’s Qualification

Mrs. van Breda Vriesman said FIH had not been distracted by the issue of
Greece’s participation at the Athens Olympic Games.

“That matter has been through a process that was agreed by the International
Olympic Committee, FIH and the Hellenic Hockey Federation.

“The decision by HHF to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport is not
something that can be allowed to affect this event. HHF has presented its
case to the CAS and we are confident the original qualification process will
be ratified.

“Whatever the outcome of the hearing, for FIH the decision will be
acceptable,” said Mrs van Breda Vriesman.

“I have sent a short message to the Greek players last week urging them to
keep training and playing, in order to ensure that, if the appeal is upheld,
they will have the best possible preparation.”

The IOC requested a qualification system based on the criterion of a fair
tournament.

In order to create a fair tournament, FIH proposed qualification criteria to
establish a minimum standard for the Greek teams.

Originally Greece was required to qualify for the European Nations Cup; that
is, to be at least the 12th ranked team in Europe. Since Los Angeles 1984
teams of the Olympic host nation have always taken part in either
Continental Cup or Continental Games with the exception of Greece.

HHF suggested the criteria were unrealistic and FIH agreed to propose they
may also qualify through the play-off situation.

The first option for Greece to gain a place at the Olympics was by
qualifying for the European Nations Cup, held in 2003. Greece did not
qualify for this tournament but there was a second opportunity for Greece to
qualify for the Olympics. This required Greece to beat the 12th qualified
team of the Men’s Olympic Qualifier in a best of three play-off competition.
Canada became the 12th qualified team at the Qualifiers when Cuba withdrew.
Canada would keep its place in the Qualifier regardless of whether it won or
lost against Greece, but there would be six places at stake at the Men’s
Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Madrid if Gree