‘Tokyo Olympic heat has had impact, using 18 squad is key’

The need for utilising all 18 players under the rejigged IOC rules has been key, with fatigue becoming a factor in Tokyo as games piled up over a short timeframe at the Olympic Games, according to leading coaches.

Surprise was expressed after GB men and women reached the quarter-finals without utilising the extra two playing reserves, who were able to play regardless of squad injuries.

Speaking on The Hockey Site’s Tokyo Daily, Adam Commens, high performance director at Belgium Hockey, said: “You can’t underestimate the impact of the heat and we have seen players make uncharacteristic mistakes.”