Paris — Fans were evacuated from Yves-du-Manoir Stadium on Wednesday after the Olympic hockey evening matches were suspended mid session – despite no interruptions for the rest of the night.
Games had finished on both pitches in the first of the late games when a decision was taken for supporters to leave the venue in Colombes “due to weather conditions”.
The FIH issued a statement saying: “Following a warning from Meteo France of imminent storms, a decision has been taken by the venue and the local authorities to evacuate the stadium in the interests of public safety.
“The matches today are played as per the schedule.”
Streams of Dutch fans were seen leaving the venue, while some fans complained of “really poor communication at the stadium” bar the tannoy announcements. Another called the decision “an absolute disgrace”.
“When told that the 2nd session had been suspended we were incredulous – there was no sign of an imminent storm with no approaching lightning, thunder,” one Hockey Paper reader said.
“There was general confusion and disbelief amongst fans. You’ve broken a 10 year old boy’s heart – well done Paris 2024 and FIH!”
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The final two matches were played behind closed doors, with memories harking back to the Tokyo Games when no fans were allowed at stadia. Both games were completed.
Netherlands women beat China 3-0 on Pitch 2 to keep up their unbeaten campaign, while South Africa lost to Spain men 3-0.
The matches got under way in muggy conditions, but with no sight of lightning or any adverse conditions.
The Hockey Paper has requested a statement from Paris 2024 on whether ticket holders will be issued a refund.
However, as half the session had been completed fans are unlikely to be given a partial refund. General policy is for no refunds if 50% of the session has completed.
What an absolute disgrace by the organising committee.
My son and I flew all the way from South Africa to watch today’s games and, in particular, South Africa vs Spain. When told that the 2nd session had been suspended we were incredulous – there was no sign of an imminent storm with no approaching lightning, thunder etc etc.
There was general confusion and disbelief amongst fans.
When we tried to query whether the session was merely being delayed and whether we should perhaps stay in the vicinity of the stadium, we were rudely told by security to evacuate and that we should check the ticketing app for further information. At no stage were we given the option of remaining or watching the matches.
I checked the ticketing app and social media but no further communication was forthcoming.
I was dismayed to read, whilst on the train back to Paris, that the match had indeed gone ahead – without any spectators in attendance.
A shockingly poor decision without any thought for fans who had travelled half way around the world, at great expense, for these matches.
You’ve broken a 10 year old boy’s heart – well done Paris 2024 and FIH!
Dale boet. So sorry for your son (and you!) and I totally agree it was handled really badly.
BUT, you know how many people die in SA from lightning and how strict schools are there. I’ve been at sports events there when the lightning warning sirens have gone off and there isn’t a cloud in the sky. But lightning in Johannesburg can strike up to 10kms ahead of the storm so those warnings (activated when lightning is within 15kms) are taken very seriously.
Hi Anthony – agreed – I am a headmaster of a school in Johannesburg so know the risks of lightning all too well.
However, (1) on Thursday evening, there was no lightning in the vicinity (I know because I have an app on my phone which we pay for which indicates presence of lightning) and (2) if it was indeed called off due to lightning, then the game shouldn’t have gone ahead at all (which I would’ve been frustrated at, but understood).
It makes no sense to evacuate spectators from a venue due to lightning but then allow the game to go ahead for the players. If the rationale for suspending the game was one of safety, then that rationale should apply to spectators AND players alike.
Sadly the French don’t care who is in their country. They allow them to get in boats and drive 20 miles, just to get rid
We are in Paris to see the Dutch womans hockey team. My 2 girls were looking forward to this moment fir months, only to hear we were not welcome in the stands! The weather was beautiful all evening, no sign of a storm at all. What a waste of time and money!
Will they refund the tickets? I was also suprised when arrived of the storm that never occurred. Worst organisation ever!
Shockingly badly communicated decision, they announced “suspendu définitivement” in French but “suspended” in English (i.e. a temporary halt), rather than “abandoned” (halted permanently).
It unsurprisingly took a long while for the Dutch and German fans to realize what was going on…
The Olympics is the definitive hockey competition. People will have saved up, perhaps for years to go to the Olympics. We are trying to grow our sport and encourage kids to participate. If it was not fit to spectate, it is also not fit to play. Complaints should be made at the highest level and money should be refunded, despite any ticketing requirements. To go through Covid and then see this is heartbreaking. It is a travestyfor those who travelled, bought tickets and paid for hotels.
Every official we spoke to at the venue told us we could claim refunds due to this, reading this article it sounds like it may have been a lie to escape an uproar.