-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