If you’re reading this, I presume you’re either an avid fan of the sport or someone who knows one, as the Winter Olympics are around the corner. Or perhaps you’re even considering an interest in the game yourself.
Whatever your reasons, you’re almost certainly aware that the Olympic ice hockey rink is one of the most prominent features of the Winter Olympics, and it’s a focal point for hockey fans tuning in around the world. Indeed, it’s not unusual for the hockey rink itself to be the most-watched event during the Winter Olympics.
So, what makes the Olympic hockey rink so special?
Let’s take a quick look at the history of the game and the Winter Olympics to find the answer.
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Hockey Has A Rich History
Hockey is one of the oldest sports in existence and is considered by many to be the national sport of Canada. The first organized hockey game was played in Montreal in 1875, and the modern game we know was developed in the early 20th century, largely in Canada and the United States.
The Winter Olympic Games have been celebrating hockey since the sport became a reality in the early 20th century. The inaugural Winter Olympics were held in St. Louis in February 1920, with just four teams competing (Canada, the United States, Sweden, and Denmark). During that time, the only hockey-playing nation to emerge as a significant force in international competition was the Soviet Union. Indeed, although the Winter Olympics were a celebration of hockey, they were also a showcase for the military might of the Soviet Union at the time. Between 1920 and 1960, the Soviet Union won a record 23 Olympic gold medals in hockey. They also hosted the first ever Ice Hockey World Championships in 1951, where they again dominated, winning nine of the 10 tournaments that were held during the year.
Since then, the dominance of the Soviet Union in Olympic ice hockey has been somewhat curtailed, but the sport continues to grow in popularity around the world. The last few Winter Olympic Games have seen an emergence of several new hockey-playing nations, with teams such as Sweden and Finland also regularly competing for gold medals. Additionally, the number of men’s national teams participating in hockey has increased, with dozens of countries now fielding teams at the Olympics. In fact, at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, 66 nations took to the ice, making it the most-represented sport in the Winter Olympics after curling.
It’s Not Just About The Game
While it’s true that hockey is an exciting game to follow and can be a source of national pride for those participating, the appeal of the Winter Olympics to millions around the world is much broader than that. The winter season is one of the most beautiful times of the year, with the snow covering the ground and turning the world into a winter wonderland. It’s not hard to see why so many people enjoy the winter sports of skiing and skating, not to mention the traditional outdoor hockey game itself.
That being said, a lot of the appeal comes from the fact that the Winter Olympics coincide with the winter season. The snow, the cold, and the ambiance of the winter holidays are what make the winter games different from any other sporting event. It’s hard to put into words the spirit of the winter season, which is why many consider the Winter Olympics to be a celebration of everything that’s great about winter.
It’s A Place For Family Recreation
One of the unique things about the Winter Olympic Games is how family-centric they are. The winter season is a time when families get together and enjoy some recreation, so it’s only natural that the Games would reflect that. The family-friendly vibe at the Olympic Games is something that attracts both fans and participants. Indeed, several of the Winter Olympic events, such as the figure skating and the ski jumping, are designed to be accessible to all ages. Many events at the Games are also closed to the public, but open to the media, with the intent to keep the intimacy and excitement of a private competition.
One might argue that this level of privacy is what makes the Winter Olympics so special, as the competitors aren’t allowed to interact with the public outside of the event. When an athlete competes at the Olympics, they’re representing not just themselves, but their entire country. So, while there’s no question that the athletes compete with passion and pride, they’re also keeping the memory of every challenge they overcome for the good of their country.
The Size Of The Rinks Is Magnificent
The size of the hockey rinks is also one of the main attractions of the Winter Olympics. It’s not just that the games offer some of the most spectacular ice sports in the world, but the rinks are also quite large, which allows for some spectacular displays. The biggest rink in use at the 2014 Sochi Olympics was the Olympic Stadium, with a capacity of 81,000.
There are also some smaller rinks, such as the Underhill Rink at Earls Court in London, which has a capacity of around 7,000. One of the main reasons for the size of the rinks is to accommodate the number of spectators that turn up to watch the games. It’s not unusual to have 40,000 spectators attend a single game at the Olympics, which makes the task of the organizers to find places to sit quite challenging. And finding places to sit is one of the primary jobs of the organizers of a sporting event. Seating is also a major issue at hockey tournaments around the world, as matches often see capacity crowds, which leads to uncomfortable standing for fans. The large size of the rinks also means that there’s more room to play hockey on, which is why most Olympic teams are based in Europe and North America. There aren’t nearly enough ice surfaces around the world for all the teams that qualify for the Olympics, so finding a place to practice is also a major issue.
The Lighting Is Amazing
Perhaps one of the most stunning aspects of the Winter Olympics is the lighting. The night of the games is usually treated as a special occasion in itself, with large screens being set up in the stadiums to watch the closing ceremony, which sees the lighting of the Olympic cauldron. It’s a truly awesome sight to behold and has the potential to bring a tear to even the most hardened of ice hockey fans.
It’s not just about the lighting either, as the night time and the winter season are the perfect setting for taking incredible photos. The low light and the white snow provide the perfect backdrop for some really fantastic pictures, which you can’t help but share on social media. Add a couple of hot-dog stands, a few snowmen, and some sledging, and you’ve got a classic winter landscape.
It’s Bigger Than Ever
Although the Winter Olympics will be held in the Russian capital Moscow this year, the hockey rink at the Olympic Stadium will not be the same as it was in 2014. That’s because a few months ago, the Olympic council decided to upgrade the pitch, install a lighting system, and, most importantly, add more seats. So, while capacity will remain at 81,000 spectators, it will feel more intimate than ever before. This marks the fifth consecutive year that the capacity of the Olympic rink has increased, with the addition of 12 seats for every rink, which will allow the fans to get closer to the action.
All these improvements make the Olympic rink feel bigger and better than ever before, and perhaps that’s what makes it so special. As you might expect, tickets for the matches are difficult to come by, with several hundred seats in the lower bowl of the stadium remaining unsold as of mid-February.
It’s fair to say that the Winter Olympics haven’t lost their charm, and it won’t be the last time we hear about hockey at the Olympics. With an increase in women’s hockey, we might see a resurgence of the sport at the winter games in PyeongChang in 2018.