Top field for hockey test
A top quality field has been announced for the Olympic hockey test event at the Olympic Park in May.
Last Updated: 17/01/12 5:37pm
A top quality field has been announced for the Visa International Invitational Hockey Tournament in May - the official test event for the London 2012 Olympics.
The newly-renamed Riverbank Arena in the Olympic Park will stage the two four-team tournaments for both Great Britain's men's and women's teams to test themselves against the best in the world.
The Team GB men will take on the best two teams in the world in the top-ranked Australians and the world number two Germans, along with perennial powerhouse India in their tournament.
Britain's women will also take on top-class opposition in the form of current world champions Argentina alongside China and Korea, with the two events taking place together between May 2-6.
The temporary Riverbank Arena will be used for the first time during the event where tests of all the logistics from crowd flows to timing equipment will take place to make sure it is fit for use for the Games.
Striking venue
"The Riverbank Arena is one of the most striking venues in the Olympic Park with its blue and pink pitches and it is vital that we run an event which will test our field of play, the venue and our workforce before the Games," said LOCOG head of sport competition David Luckes.
"We are delighted to have been able to secure such a strong line-up of team's for the Visa International Invitational Hockey Tournament and offer the spectators the chance to see world class hockey in the Olympic Park just a few months before the Games."
Leandro Negre, President of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) added: "This is an exciting time for the FIH to see the Riverbank Arena and the blue pitches in use for the first time in senior international competition.
"With just three months to go to the Olympics, the Visa International Invitational Hockey Tournament will provide a taste of what is to come, with hockey of the highest quality."
