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Rio unveils Olympic hockey venue

Xinhua, November 21, 2015 Adjust font size:

Rio de Janeiro's new state-of-the-art Olympic hockey center will provide a catalyst for the sport's growth in Brazil, according to city mayor Eduardo Paes.

The venue, which boasts the colors of Brazil's flag, was officially unveiled on Friday ahead of next week's Olympic test event.

"Today hockey may not be such a well-known sport in Brazil, but after the Rio 2016 Games, this Olympic Centre can be a turning point for the sport in the country," Paes told Rio2016.com.

National goalkeeper Thiago Bonfim agreed: "It's very important for our sport in Brazil to have a facility of this level," he said.

The venue, which is 98% complete, comprises three artificial grass pitches, two of which will be used for matches and the other for practice and warmup sessions.

Built for the 2007 Pan-American Games, the venue at Deodoro Park has been adapted to meet Olympic standards. The main pitch will accommodate 8,000 spectators during the Games.

"The structure we have today, with the floodlights and the warmup pitch, is how it will be after the Games. It will be a legacy for the sport and the city," said Luciano Elias, the Rio 2016 hockey venue manager.

Brazil's men are one of 11 sides already confirmed for the 12-team Olympic tournament next year. Endit