The 14 action-packed days of Olympic hockey were a wonderful advertisement for the sport, with more than 340,000 fans attending in person and games broadcast around the world. The sporting legacy is often raised when the biggest sporting spectacle leaves town.
Located just outside the main spectator entrance, the Hockey Initiation Zone offered visitors the chance to learn more about the sport. Young and old alike were able to pick up a stick and a ball, with various fun challenges and inflatable rinks providing great entertainment.
Many past and present players were on hand, including Irish goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran, Argentine legend Delfina Merino and players from the French men’s and women’s teams that competed at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium.
The biggest name was Argentine superstar Luciana Aymar, the eight-time FIH Player of the Year and one of the greatest players of all time. She stressed the importance of the Hockey Initiation Zone and her responsibility in promoting the sport. “As former players, we have an important role to play wherever we can,” said Aymar. “This is a great way to introduce people to hockey and bring it to families because hockey is a family. I am always trying to develop and promote the sport that I have loved so much.”
A sentiment echoed by France’s men’s ace Timothée Clément, who beamed with happiness throughout his visit to the Hockey Initiation Zone. “It’s important to come here and play with the kids,” said the winner of the 2021-22 FIH Hockey Stars Young Player of the Year Award. “When I was young I loved doing these things, playing and meeting international players. I feel it is important for me to do the same, especially here at the Olympics in my home country.”
Aside from the important promotional work done by the Hockey Initiation Zone – which welcomed more than 25,000 people over the 14 days of the tournament, many of whom were trying the sport for the first time – Clément spoke openly about the opportunity to introduce his sport to new audiences.
“It was very cool to play in France, because so many French fans came out to support us, even though they don’t know much about hockey,” said the 24-year-old attacker, who scored four goals in five games at Paris 2024. “I hope that people get more interested in playing this amazing game. I mean, it feels like people have really enjoyed coming here and being a part of it.”
His sentiments were echoed by French women’s team players Paola Le Nindre, Victoire Arnaud and Eve Verzura. “We usually play in front of a hundred people. To have 10,000 people chanting our name and singing ‘Allez les Bleues’ in a friendly atmosphere was amazing! Above all, we introduced hockey to France and many people thanked us for that,” they said.
The Gory family we spoke to in the Hockey Initiation Zone were one of many French sports fans who bought hockey tickets on a whim. After making the nearly six-hour journey from their home in southwestern Dordogne, they told us they were drawn by the fascinating history of the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium – the venue that hosted the 1924 Olympics and many other iconic sporting events.
“We bought tickets for my dad because he knows so much about this stadium,” said Lilian Gory, as she kicked a ball around with her father, Philippe, and sibling Solène. “It’s so exciting to be here at the Olympics and it’s cool to try and watch something like hockey, which is completely new to us.” They were one of countless French families getting their first taste of hockey, and while their teams did not perform as hoped, it was clear from the deafening noise that they loved every second of the action.
It may be many years before we know the true impact of Paris 2024 on hockey participation in France, but there is already a very real legacy for Timothée, Paola, Victoire, Eve and their fellow French players. The gleaming new stadium built to host Pitch 2 matches at Yves-du-Manoir is set to become the new home of the French Hockey Federation (FFH), providing a central base for decades to come.
“We have never had a home for hockey before, so this is fantastic for French hockey. We’ll play our French league finals there, and hopefully some other big competitions after that. It is such a good thing for us, crazy for the sport in France,” said Timothée.
by Asia Hockey
