Australia and Olympic Hockey

Australia’s record in Olympic hockey competition is exceptional. Australian men whom first participated in Melbourne in 1956, have finished no lower than sixth, with bronze medals at Tokyo 1964, Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000, silver medals at Mexico City 1968, Montreal 1976 and Barcelona 1992 and finally the gold medal in Athens in 2004.

Australian women first competed at Los Angeles 1984 and have won the Olympic title at Seoul 1988, Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000. After missing out on a podium position in Athens, they are hungry to claim back their Olympic crown.

Rechelle Hawkes, who was a member of each of the gold medal-winning teams, took the Athlete’s Oath in the Opening Ceremony in Sydney. As a member of the team in Atlanta, Nova Peris-Kneebone became the first Aboriginal to win an Olympic gold medal.

Olympic History

Men’s hockey was first played in the Olympics in London in 1908, then at Antwerp 1920, and then again at Amsterdam 1928 after which it became a permanent fixture. In the last 32 years, Western European teams, along with Australia, have become the powerhouses in the sport.

Women’s hockey was first played at Moscow 1980 and, like the men’s tournament, was affected by many of the top teams, including Australia, not attending due to the American-led boycott. Whilst Australia did not completely boycott the 1980 Olympics a number of sports, including hockey, decided not to send their teams.

Gold Medal Winners from the Past Three Olympic Games

Men's Tournament
Atlanta 1996 - NETHERLANDS
Sydney 2000 - NETHERLANDS
Athens 2004 - AUSTRALIA

Women's Tournament
Atlanta 1996 - AUSTRALIA
Sydney 2000 - AUSTRALIA
Athens 2004 - GERMANY