Proposals to introduce 3x3 hockey as an Olympic event in 2030 are coming close to D-day.
As reported by Idman.biz citing iihf.com, since the 2017/18 season, the IIHF has been developing a 3x3 tournament format, trialling different set-ups at the Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne 2020 and Gangneung 2024. More recently, test events involving senior players have been staged in various countries and a further tournament is planned for Brazil in November.
The International Olympic Committee is seeking proposals for new disciplines for the 2030 Winter Games in France and the IIHF is preparing its submission ahead of the Jan. 2025 deadline. A decision would be expected in March.
IIHF President Luc Tardif told the Semi-Annual Congress that a 3x3 hockey tournament would mean 16 more teams (eight men’s, eight women’s) bringing 240 more athletes to compete in the Olympic Winter Games. Following the success of similar “scaled-down” sports such as 3x3 basketball and rugby sevens at the recent Paris Games, there is a belief that 3x3 hockey can be a big way of engaging new audiences and increasing participation worldwide. It would also double the number of medals on offer in what is the biggest sport at the Winter Olympics in terms of participation numbers and competition time.
Idman.biz
