In a historic second for hockey on the Olympics, Rocio Sanchez and Eddie Ockenden have been chosen to be the flag bearers for Argentina and Australia respectively, on the upcoming Olympic Video games Paris 2024, an honour that not solely recognises their distinctive contributions to hockey but additionally highlights them as symbols of inspiration and dedication for athletes internationally.
Rocío Sánchez, a stalwart of the Argentine ladies’s nationwide hockey workforce, Las Leonas, has persistently demonstrated excellence on the sector. Over a protracted storied profession, that started all the way in which again in 2011, she has accrued quite a few accolades, together with a number of medals on the Olympic Video games, FIH Hockey World Cup and PanAm Video games. Her management qualities, each on and off the sector, have made her a beloved determine amongst teammates and followers alike, and within the Leonas squad for Paris 2024, she’s going to play because the senior most professional, and the one participant to have received two Olympic silver medals from London 2012 and Tokyo 2020.
Eddie Ockenden has had a stellar hockey profession that only a few who’ve performed the game can match. Beginning his worldwide profession again in 2007 as a youngster, Ockenden has been a relentless presence within the Kookaburras facet ever since. His 445 worldwide caps places him third within the all-time appearances record behind solely John-John Dohmen and Teun de Nooijer! At Paris 2024, Ockenden will make his fifth Olympic look for the Kookaburras and he comes as a three-time Olympic medalist with bronze medals in Beijing 2008 and London 2012, in addition to a silver medal at Tokyo 2020, the place Australia missed out on gold in a shoot-out loss to Belgium within the ultimate. Additionally in Ockenden’s trophy cupboard sit three FIH Hockey World Cup medals, together with two golds in 2010 and 2014, a number of Commonwealth Video games gold medals and two FIH Hockey Professional League titles!
Rocío Sánchez and Eddie Ockenden’s choices because the flag bearers for Argentina and Australia on the Olympic Video games Paris 2024 are becoming tributes to their excellent contributions to hockey. As they put together to guide their nations on the grandest stage of all, they accomplish that with the hearts of champions and the delight of being true hockey heroes.
Talking about receiving this chance, Eddie Ockenden stated: “It goes with out saying it’s an unbelievable honour to be requested to hold the Australian flag into the Opening Ceremony. I’ve been fortunate sufficient to now compete at 5 Olympic Video games. I’ve watched the Opening Ceremony at my previous Video games and felt such delight seeing our flag getting into the stadium and main our Groups. I’m very grateful for the chance to now have this honour and expertise one thing with such a robust historical past and deep which means. I really feel like I’ll be capable of take a lot optimistic vitality out of this for the Kookaburras, and I hope the entire Australian Workforce connect with this vitality as properly. I’m immensely proud to be representing Australia, Tasmania and my sport, hockey.”
Rocío Sánchez additionally shared comparable sentiments, including: “At present, we performed a pleasant match towards Belgium on the Yves-du-Manoir essential pitch. Pleasure and nervousness are slowly rising as we get nearer to the beginning. The stadium is gorgeous and spectacular, and as soon as we arrived there, we realised the importance of this second, particularly for the newcomers. We’re very centered and looking forward to the Video games to begin for good. Personally, I’m pleased and proud to hold the Argentinian flag on the Opening Ceremony tomorrow. I’m right here representing Las Leonas, and the truth that hockey can once more carry the flag is simply incredible. It makes us all really feel very proud. So, I’m trying ahead to tomorrow and to the beginning of those new Olympic Video games.”
The hockey competitions on the Olympic Video games Paris 2024 will happen from 27 July to 9 August 2024. Each the lads’s and girls’s competitions characteristic 12 groups, break up into two swimming pools of six forward of quarter-finals, semi-finals and medal matches. For extra particulars concerning the competitors, go to Olympics.Hockey.
