FIH: Progress at Athens Olympic Hockey Stadium 
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| International Hockey Federation |
April 8, 2003
FIH
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Developments for hockey at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games are progressing well, according to the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Executive Board. The Executive Board toured the hockey venue as part of their official meetings held in Athens, Greece 3 ? 6 April 2003.
A presentation to the Board by Makis Asimakopoulos, General Manager for Sports of the Athens Organising Committee (ATHOC) showed clearly that the preparations for the Games are well underway. Some further technical matters are still to be confirmed but ATHOC is optimistic that the venue will be ready in time for the Olympic hockey test event and in accordance with the FIH Olympic Guidelines.
Test Event
The test event will be held at the Olympic Hockey Stadium in the Hellinikon area of Athens, 4 ? 8 February 2004. ATHOC and the Hellenic Hockey Federation (HHF) will advise who the eight participant teams will be shortly.
Tenders
Four new pitches will need to be installed for the Olympic Hockey Competition. All four pitches need to be of the same type and have to meet the FIH Olympic Standards. ATHOC has confirmed to the Executive Board that this tendering process will be started this week.
International Experts
ATHOC is considering seriously the Executive Board?s advice that they take on a further international hockey expert as field manager for the Games. Hockey currently benefits from dedicated experts on site: Warren Nathan (AUS) is hockey?s Technical Operations Manager for the Games and is based permanently in Athens. Nathan worked with Ron Riley at Sydney 2000. Riley, who was Competitions Manager in Sydney, takes up this role again for Athens 2004.
Technical Delegates Appointed
During its meetings the Executive Board finalised the appointments for Technical Delegates (TD) for the 2004 Olympics. Janet Ellis (CAN), who was tournament director for the Women?s World Cup held in Perth last year, will be TD for the women?s tournament. Wiert Doyer (NED) was appointed TD for the men?s. Doyer was also tournament director for the Men?s World Cup held last year in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Peter Cohen, FIH Hon Secretary General, who was in Athens commented, "This has been my first visit to the Olympic hockey sites and I must say I am satisfied with the situation. We have a great team working for hockey?s interests and I have confidence that we are on the right track to make Athens 2004 a success."
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