The first hockey event at the Helleniko Olympic Park in Athens 4 – 8
February was a success, reports the International Hockey Federation.

The Test Event featured four men’s teams (Belgium, Great Britain, Greece and
Spain) and four women’s teams (Australia, Great Britain, South Africa and
Spain). The event was played on what will be the main pitch during the
Games. The quality of the turf is at international tournament standard and
all teams were impressed by its playability. Captains of the participant
teams were also satisfied with the venue, transport, accommodation
provisions and with the team of volunteers.

The state of the art stadium has a permanent capacity for 5000, which will
expand to 8000 with temporary stands during the Olympic Games. Stunning
natural scenery of hills on one side and the Mediterranean on the other
provides the backdrop for play. It is the first venue to be up and running
in the Helleniko Olympic Park. Other sports to be held in this park are
baseball, softball, handball, fencing, basketball and the canoeing slalom.

The Technical Delegates in charge of the Olympic hockey tournaments, Wiert
Doyer, NED, (men’s) and Janet Ellis, CAN, (women’s), were the Tournament
Directors for this test event, which gave them the opportunity to
familiarise themselves with the venue and proceedings.
“The facilities are beautiful,” said Doyer, “coupled with the enthusiasm and
willingness of the organisers and volunteers, this Test Event promises an
excellent Olympic tournament,”

FIH President Els van Breda Vriesman commented, “We are satisfied with the
provisions that are currently in place for the Olympic hockey tournament.
There is still a great deal of work to be done by ATHOC on the area
surrounding the hockey venue, but we have every confidence that the
Helleniko Olympic Park will be of excellent quality in time for the Games.”

The final standings of the Test Event were Men: 1. Spain, 2. Great Britain,
3. Belgium, 4. Greece. Women: 1. South Africa, 2. Spain, 3. Australia, 4.
Great Britain.