When we published “Time for a United Approach” we stated that eleven-a-side Hockey was only confirmed in the Olympic Games until Paris 2024.
Following the International Hockey Federation’s Congress held in New Delhi there have been a number of reports published that have given the impression that eleven-a-side hockey, which has been at the Olympic Games for over 100 years, is safe as an Olympic sport for the foreseeable future. This is despite the sport being threatened with being dropped as recently as 2013.
So Not The Footy Show contacted the International Olympic Committee to try and obtain some clarity. Here is their statement.
“For each edition of the Games the IOC reviews the full Olympic programme of sports, disciplines, events, competition formats and overall athletes quotas of the Games. In keeping with the normal process of review, Hockey is currently included as a sport into the Olympic Games Paris 2024. No sports are yet confirmed for the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 and it is anticipated that this review process for the sports programme will take place in 2021.”
So, as published, it would appear that the sport’s participation as an eleven-a-side game is only guaranteed at this point in time until Paris 2024. It will learn its future fate along with other sports in 2021.
Thank you for clarifying this. It certainly did appear that comments were being made to take the heat off of those in power.
It is a shame that other media outlets did not ask how long the FIH were claiming that eleven-a-side was guaranteed to be part of the Olympic Games.