Ready to feel the energy of champions? The Olympic Hockey Centre in Rio de Janeiro stands before us. It is a testament to the spirit of the Games.
The Olympic Hockey Centre isn’t just a field. It’s a stage where dreams were realized. It is a place where athletes pushed their limits. This center in Deodoro was initially built for the 2007 Pan American Games. It was then totally rebuilt for the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Imagine the roar of the crowd. Visualize the precision of the athletes as they competed here. The main arena held 7,800 spectators with 2,500 permanent seats. An additional 5,300 temporary seats were added for the Olympics. The secondary arena had a temporary capacity of 4,100.
Brazilian studio Vigliecca & Associados designed the center. Ronald Werner Fiedler, Héctor Vigliecca, and Luciene Quel led the design team. They created a space that was both functional and visually stunning.
Positioning the fields was a major challenge. The site was irregular with limited access. Each field is almost the size of a soccer field. They measure 91.4 meters long by 55 meters wide. The warm-up field is half that size. It sits conveniently between the arenas.
The fields had to face the correct direction to account for the sun. Space was needed for temporary installations. Grandstands and food stands were important. Access points for game operations also needed space.
Much precision went into building these fields. Beneath the synthetic grass are two layers of asphalt. The upper layer is 35 mm thick. It has a tolerance of only 3mm in 3 meters. The lower layer is also 35 mm thick. It allows for a tolerance of 6mm every 3 meters. A shock-absorbing rubber layer sits between them. This ensures the ball rolls smoothly.
The fields feature royal blue synthetic grass. The London Olympics started this standardization in 2012. It makes the sport more attractive. It also offers a better contrast with the ball.
The Olympic Hockey Centre also considered television needs. Lighting requirements were very specific. The lighting project produces over 2,000 lux. It uses 40-meter-high light poles. This ensured excellent visibility for 4K and 3D broadcasts.
After the Olympics, the Olympic Hockey Centre became a legacy project. It provides training areas for new athletes. The Brazilian Hockey Confederation now uses the facilities. The legacy includes both arenas, the warm-up field and part of the bleachers. The marquee, changing rooms, storage rooms, and offices were also retained. Some external floors were removed. This allowed for more green spaces.
The Deodoro Olympic Park covers a vast area of 2 million square meters. It hosted 11 Olympic and four Paralympic sports. The Radical Park includes a skate park and picnic area. It also offers walking and running tracks. This provides recreational areas for the population. The Olympic Hockey Centre is part of this lasting legacy.