London 2012 hockey will be played with yellow balls

Secret testing on the Olympic hockey pitch: The image they didn't want you to seeHockey will be played with a yellow ball at the London 2012 Olympic Games. A blue pitch with pink runoffs has already been laid for the Games making for a complete colour revision for Olympic hockey.

It does however look like the International Hockey Federation (FIH) will adopt a fairly relaxed approach to equipment and kit colours on the blue pitch. At major tournaments (played with a white ball) white socks, white shoes and white stickheads are all usually banned by the tournament regulations. But, after some testing, the only restriction currently planned for London 2012 is a ban on yellow goalkeeper shirts.

So Australian yellow socks, for example, will be fine. London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) head of sport competition David Luckes - a three-time Olympic goalkeeper - said that rules for keepers' kickers and pads were, however, yet to be decided. But this was expected to be clarified when the FIH produced tournament regulations within a few weeks. 

Olympic hockey pitch and ballLuckes said: “We are delighted with how the main pitch at the hockey centre looks. The blue and pink pitch combined with the yellow ball will not only make following the ball easier, it also has a fantastic London 2012 feel. The player feedback has been excellent and we will continue to work together to ensure the pitches are perfect for the Games next year.”Olympic Park practice: England and GB's Nicola White (left) and Hannah Macleod practice on the newly laid Olympic pitch