When one of the greatest players to ever pick up a hockey stick arrived at the Yves-du-Manoir Hockey Stadium, you could feel the electricity in the air.
With fans pointing cameras in her direction and others whispering things like ‘it’s her – I cannot believe it’, you are left in doubt how much Argentina superstar Luciana Aymar means to hockey lovers the world over.
Despite retiring almost a decade ago, the eight times FIH Hockey Player of the Year remains a genuine global sporting icon. Instantly recognisable, the athlete once dubbed ‘the Maradona of hockey’ and ‘La Maga’ (the magician) has an aura that surrounds her, something the current crop of Argentina players know only too well.
"I didn't know she was coming, for real, I didn’t know”, said Argentina’s Zoe Diaz de Armas on Wednesday after her team’s 2-1 win against Spain, with Aymar coming onto the field to meet and greet the Argentina team. “It makes us happy that she is here. She is everyone's idol (in the team). It's crazy that she came to see me. Is it for real? I'm super, super happy. (At the end of the game) she came to cheer us on. She said we have a great team."
Aymar, who won Olympic silver at Sydney 2000 and London 2012 as well as bronze at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, was thrilled to reconnect with Las Leonas, a team that she represented on 376 occasions, scoring 162 goals.
“Today, as an ex-Leona, I’ve become one more fan and I always enjoy watching them play”, said Aymar, who was flagbearer for Argentina at the Olympic Games London 2012. “I love the group they make, and I told them that they need to create their own story at these Olympic Games. They make a great team, they have “good vibes”, so I expect the best from them. I know they are giving all they have.
Commenting on meeting the team on the field and the incredible reception she received from the fans, Aymar said: “I was very excited to be able to get inside the pitch and say hello, also that the public said hello to me because that is like a hug to my heart, a hug to the sporting career I’ve had.”
Despite having long since retired, Aymar – who lives in Chile with her husband, former tennis ace Fernando Gonzalez and their two children – admits that it is only natural that she misses compering in the Olympic environment.
“When I see Las Leonas play I miss everything”, continued the 46-year-old, who inspired Argentina to 2010 Hockey World Cup glory in her home town of Rosario, where football great Leonel Messi was also born and raised. “I miss playing, even though at this stage of my life I would not be able to do the same things I did before, and I miss the lifestyle of Las Leonas. To train every day to attain an objective. To dress the Argentinian shirt, listen to the national anthem, participate to an Olympic Games, it is special. So yes, I miss all of that.”
While Aymar may not be competing, the all-time great could not resist the opportunity to pick up a stick at Yves-du-Manoir, spending time in the wonderful Hockey Initiation zone which is giving all spectators the chance to learn more about a sport they may be seeing for the very first time. Aymar was quick to highlight the importance of such initiatives, as well as the responsibility she personally feels in promoting the sport.
”As former players we have the important mission to continue to develop the sport everywhere we can”, said Aymar, who thrilled awestruck youngsters with a brief skills and shooting session. “This is a great way to bring people to hockey, and hockey to families. Because hockey is a family, so being part of it is a great decision. As a former player I try to do it all the time, to continue developing and promoting the sport that I loved so much.”
Speaking about her time in Paris, Aymar – who was given the opportunity to attend by a brand as part of a brand ambassadorial role – admitted that she was completely in love with the city. “It has so much culture, its gothic architecture, its fashion, so yes, I’m in love with Paris. I got the chance this time to discover more about it, while also enjoying the Olympic Games.”
The hockey competitions at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 take place from Saturday 27 July to Friday 9 August. Both the men’s and women’s competitions feature 12 teams, split into two pools of six ahead of quarter-finals, semi-finals and medal matches. For more information about the hockey competitions at Paris 2024, visit Olympics.Hockey.
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