HOCKEY: After five intensive days of acclimatisation and training, the Australian Men’s Hockey Team took a rare break from Olympic preparations to enjoy a morning out at the Christ the Redeemer statue on Monday.
One of the New Seven Wonders of the World, the 30-metre-tall statue is located at the peak of the 700-metre Corcovado mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park overlooking the city of Rio.
“It’s always good to get a day off and get out to see some of the sights Rio has to offer,” said defender Matthew Dawson.
“This is a pretty exciting time and this place offers some spectacular sights.”
Mingling with tourists at Christ the Redeemer, the world’s number one men’s hockey team posed for photos with excited supporters of all nationalities, including a number of Australians, who wished them well in their quest for Olympic glory.
The team’s visit is likely to be their one and only opportunity to see the sights between now and the end of the Games as they prepare to play what they hope will be eight matches in 13 days, culminating the in the gold medal match on 18 August.
Australia’s men begin their Olympic campaign against trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand on Saturday 6 August (2:30am AEST, Sunday).
Lawrence West
olympics.com.au
