The International Hockey Federation (FIH) released the qualification quotas for the 2008 Beijing Olympic as a result of the BDO World Cup men and the Samsung World Cup women results.

The five continental championships, to be played from December 2006 – September 2007, are the first qualification tournaments which will determine direct qualification for nine teams.

In addition, to determine the final three Olympic participants, the FIH will hold three men’s and three women’s Olympic Qualification tournaments in the first part of 2008 at which the winner of each tournament will qualify.  The men’s and women’s Olympic Hockey competitions will take place from 8-24 August 2008

The qualification system for the 2008 Olympic Games Men’s Hockey Tournament is as follows:

Automatic qualifiers:

• Host nation – China
• Champion of the African Olympic Qualification Tournament
• Champion of the 15^th Pan American Games
• Champion of the 15^th Asian Games
• Champion of the 11^th Men’s EuroHockey Nations Championship
• Champion of the 5^th Oceania Cup

In addition, based upon the Sahara WorldHockey team rankings, three extra quotas are allocated to different continents for direct qualification.  For the 2008 Olympic Games men’s hockey competition, the three extra quotas are allocated as follows:

• Europe:                  2 extra quotas.  Therefore, the runner-up and bronze medalist of the 11^th European Nations Championship qualify directly for the 2008 Olympics Games, together with the European Champion.
• Asia:                       1 extra quota.  Therefore, the next highest placed team (other than the Asian Champion and China) at the 15^th Asian Games qualify directly for the 2008 Olympics Games, together with the Asian Champion and China.

However, if China wins the final of the 15^th Asian Games, a fourth extra quota becomes available, and, based upon the Sahara WorldHockey team rankings, this will be allocated to Asia.  In this event, together with China, the silver and bronze medalist of the 15^th Asian Games will also directly qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games.

The last three spots for the 2008 Olympic Games men’s hockey competitions will be determined during three Olympic Qualification tournaments in 2008. The exact locations and dates of these events will be decided mid November 2006

The qualification system for the 2008 Olympic Games women’s hockey competition is as follows:

Automatic qualifiers:

• Host nation – China
• Champion of the African Olympic Qualification Tournament
• Champion of the 15^th Pan American Games
• Champion of the 15^th Asian Games
• Champion of the 8^th Women’s EuroHockey Nations Championship
• Champion of the 5^th Oceania Cup

In addition, based upon the Sahara WorldHockey team rankings, three extra quotas are allocated to different continents for direct qualification.  For the 2008 Olympic Games women’s hockey competition, the three extra quotas are allocated as follows:

• Europe:                  2 extra quotas. Therefore, the runner-up and bronze medalist of the 10^th Women’s European Nations Championship qualify directly for the 2008 Olympics Games, together with the European Champion.
• Asia:                       1 extra quota. Therefore, the next highest placed team (other than the Champion and China) at the 15^th Asian Games qualifies directly for the 2008 Olympic Games, together with the Asian Champion and China.

However, if China wins the final of the 15^th Asian Games, a fourth extra quota becomes available and, based upon the Sahara WorldHockey team rankings, this will be allocated to Oceania. In this event, the runner-up of the 5^th Oceania Cup will qualify directly for the 2008 Olympic Games.

The last three spots for the 2008 Olympic Games women’s hockey competition will be determined during three Olympic Qualification tournaments. One of these tournaments will take place in Vancouver, Canada. The exact dates and locations of the other two qualification events will be decided mid November 2006.