The International Hockey Federation (FIH) released the qualification quotas for the 2012 London Olympic Games.
The five continental championships, to be played from November 2010 until the end of 2011, will determine direct qualification for nine men's and nine women's teams.
In addition, to determine the final three men's and three women's Olympic participants, the FIH will hold four Olympic Qualification tournaments in the first part of 2012 at which the winner of each tournament will qualify. The men's and women's Olympic Hockey competitions will take place from 29 July to 11 August 2012.
Qualification system for the 2012 Olympic Games Men's Hockey Tournament
Automatic qualifiers
- Host nation - Great Britain
- Africa - Champion at Africa Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament
- America - Champion at 16th Pan American Games (men's hockey competition)
- Asia - Champion at 16th Asian Games (men's hockey competition)
- Europe - Champion at 13th EuroHockey Nations Championship for Men
- Oceania - Champion at 7th Men's Oceania Cup
Extra quota places
In addition, based upon the ABN AMRO FIH Team Rankings, three extra quotas are allocated to different continents for direct qualification. For the 2012 Olympic Games men's hockey competition, the three extra quotas are allocated as follows:
- Europe: 2 extra quotas. Therefore, the next two highest placed teams (other than the Champion and the nominated National Association for Great Britain) of the 13th European Nations Championship qualify directly for the 2012 Olympics Games.
- Oceania: 1 extra quota. Therefore, the next highest placed team at the 7th Men's Oceania Cup qualifies directly for the 2012 Olympics Games, together with the Oceania Champion.
However, if the nominated National Association for Great Britain wins the final of the 13th EuroHockey Nations Championship for Men, a fourth extra quota becomes available, and, based upon the ABN AMRO FIH Team Rankings, this will be allocated to Europe. In this event, together with the nominated National Association for Great Britain, the silver and bronze medalist as well as the 4th placed team of the 13th EuroHockey Nations Championship for Men will qualify directly for the 2012 Olympic Games.
Qualifying tournaments
The last three spots for the 2012 Olympic Games men's hockey competition will be determined in three Olympic Qualification tournaments in 2012. Of these qualifying tournaments, one will be held in India in February 2012 (exact dates TBC), the second in Japan from 25 April - 6 May, while dates and location for the third tournament still need to be confirmed.
The eighteen (18) qualification places for the respective tournaments are allocated to the continents are based upon the ABN AMRO FIH Team Rankings at the completion of the Hero Honda FIH World Cup Men 2010, and are as follows:
Africa - 1 quota place
Asia - 5 quota places
Europe - 8 quota places
Oceania - 0 quota places
Pan America - 4 quota places
Qualification system for the 2012 Olympic Games Women's Hockey Tournament
Automatic qualifiers
- Host nation - Great Britain
- Africa - Champion at Africa Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament
- America - Champion at 16th Pan American Games (women's hockey competition)
- Asia - Champion at 16th Asian Games (women's hockey competition)
- Europe - Champion at 10th EuroHockey Nations Championship for Women
- Oceania - Champion at 7th Women's Oceania Cup
Extra quota places
In addition, based upon the ABN AMRO FIH Team Rankings, three extra quotas are allocated to different continents for direct qualification. For the 2012 Olympic Games women's hockey competition, the three extra quotas are allocated as follows:
- Europe: 1 extra quota. Therefore, the next highest placed team (other than the Champion and nominated National Association for Great Britain) at the 10th Women's European Nations Championship qualifies directly for the 2012 Olympics Games, together with the European Champion and the nominated National Association for Great Britain for Great Britain.
- Oceania: 1 extra quota. Therefore, the runner-up at the 7th Women's Oceania Cup qualifies directly for the 2012 Olympic Games, together with the Oceania Champion.
- Asia: 1 extra quota. Therefore, the runner-up at the 16th Asian Games qualifies directly for the 2012 Olympic Games, together with the Asian Champion.
However, if the nominated National Association for Great Britain wins the final of the 10th EuroHockey Nations Championship for Women, a fourth extra quota becomes available and, based upon the ABN AMRO FIH Team Rankings, this will be allocated to Europe. In this event, the bronze medalist of the 10th EuroHockey Nations Championship for Women will qualify directly for the 2012 Olympic Games, together with the European Champion and runner-up.
Qualifying tournaments
The last three spots for the 2012 Olympic Games women's hockey competition will be determined during three Olympic Qualification tournaments. Of these qualifying tournaments, one will be held in India in February 2012 (exact dates TBC), the second in Japan from 25 April - 6 May, and the third in Azerbaijan, with dates to be confirmed.
The eighteen (18) qualification places for the respective tournaments are allocated to the continents based upon the ABN AMRO FIH Team Rankings at the completion of the BDO FIH World Cup Women 2010, and are as follows:
Africa - 0 quota places
Asia - 4 quota places
Europe - 8 quota places
Oceania - 0 quota places
Pan America - 6 quota places
Click here for the Summary Qualification Criteria
