Here's what you need to know about field hockey at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
When did field hockey become an Olympic sport?
Men have been competing in Olympic field hockey since the 1908 Summer Olympics in London, but the U.S. men's first Olympic appearance was in the 1932 Los Angeles Games, where they won their first and only Olympic medal in the sport (bronze).
Women's field hockey was introduced to the Olympics in 1980 when Moscow hosted the games and the United States boycotted the tournament. The U.S. women won the bronze medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Games, their first and only Olympic medal in field hockey.
How is Olympic field hockey played?
In field hockey, each team has 11 players on the field (registration is 16), who compete to dribble and shoot with their sticks and score more goals than the opposing team. A goal is worth one point. Shooting is not permitted outside the striking circle on the field, and the ball cannot be moved with anything other than the player's stick.
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At the 2024 Paris Olympics, a tournament with 12 teams will be played, both men's and women's. The tournament will begin with pool play, with two groups of six teams each. Each team will play five matches, earning three points for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss. The top four teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals, where they will compete in a elimination format. The winners of the semifinals will meet in the gold medal game, while the losers of the semifinals will compete for the bronze medal.
The countries competing in the men's competition at the Paris Olympics are: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa and Spain.
The countries competing in the women's competition at the Paris Olympics are Argentina, Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, China, Japan, Netherlands, USA, South Africa and Spain.
Who is Team USA's top field hockey player?
The U.S. women's team failed to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, so the Paris Games will mark their return to the sport and their fourth Olympic appearance since 2008.
The 16-player roster will be announced in mid-June, but keep an eye on goalies Kelsey Bing, Abby Tamer and Ashley Hoffman, who both scored fourth-quarter goals in the comeback win over Japan earlier this year that earned the U.S. a spot in Paris.
What is the international situation regarding Olympic field hockey?
The Dutch women are the Olympic cash medalists. They have won four gold medals, including two of the last three, and have won a total of nine medals in Olympic sports.
In the men's category, India is the most successful team of all time with eight gold medals. However, three different teams have won gold medals in each of the past three Summer Olympics. Belgium beat Australia in the gold medal game in Tokyo to win their first Olympic medal in the event. Argentina beat Belgium to win gold in the 2016 Rio Olympics. And Germany beat the Netherlands in the 2012 London Olympics.
