Big Week

Things don't get much bigger than this upcoming week for both Canada's men's and women's field hockey teams. Both teams are fighting for their Olympic lives at the upcoming Olympic qualification tournament in India. The 6 team tournament kicks off on February 18 and last for 7 days with the finals on February 25, 2012. Unfortunately only one team (both men and women) will earn a birth in the Olympic Games and from first appearances both the men's and women's teams will be in tough.

The men's team enters the tournament ranked 14th in the world; A look at the schedule shows that Canada has a good chance of playing in the final but if they are to earn a ticket to London they will have to find a way will have to find a way to top one of the premiers nations in the world in India. Hopes are not as high on the women's side, however, a short tournament such as the Olympic Qualifier can produce some upsets.

For those keeping score at home Canada has qualified one Olympic team to the 2012 Olympic Games (that being Canada's Women's soccer team) to date. In 2008, Canada qualified four Olympic teams to the Games (Men's Field Hockey, Men's Water Polo, Women's Softball, and Women's Soccer). Let the results show that Canada will be hard pressed to equal its performance from 2008 in qualifying four teams, and this becomes even more apparent when we consider that Softball is no longer a part of the Olympic Games. Regardless, Heatstroke will be cheering for Canada and its team orientated athletes right through to the final whistle, commencing with action this coming weekend.

Lets hope that our Field Hockey Teams can follow the path laid down by the Canadian Women's Soccer Team who earned a ticket to the Games a few short weeks ago. Go Canada Go