Pioneering hockey’s future at the Olympic Games with Poligras
Olympic field hockey has undergone a powerful transformation over the years, fundamentally altering the pace, technique and appearance of the game for the benefit of both players and fans.
Pioneering hockey’s future at the Olympic Games with Poligras
Olympic field hockey has undergone a powerful transformation over the years, fundamentally altering the pace, technique and appearance of the game for the benefit of both players and fans.
At the heart of this change is Sport Group’s hockey family - AstroTurf, Polytan and Poligras - which has been chosen for hockey at 11 Olympic Games. AstroTurf began the global hockey turf revolution and continues to lead the market in the Americas. Polytan has installed thousands of hockey turfs around the world, from the Netherlands to Namibia to New Zealand.
Poligras is Sport Group’s flagship hockey turf brand, the turf is synonymous with innovation, performance and a resolute commitment to the sport's future. The story of Poligras hockey turf at the Olympic Games is not just about a product, but of a relentless quest to elevate the game, making it faster, more dynamic and environmentally sustainable.
From Montreal to Moscow
The Montreal 1976 Olympic Games introduced the world to the first AstroTurf hockey turf. It rained during the Games which revealed the enhanced playability of wet surfaces, which have since become a hallmark of the modern elite game.
Poligras was an official supplier to the Moscow Olympics, and 42 years later we are still at the top of the game, having provided turfs for the Paris Olympics, the eighth Olympic games to trust Poligras.
Poligras wasn’t the only ‘hockey debut’ at Moscow. The Moscow Olympics is very significant for hockey because it was the first Olympics with a women’s hockey competition. The competition was a fairy tale for Zimbabwe who won gold in a round robin format.
Long-awaited triumph on the turf in Seoul
The Seoul 1988 Olympic Games marked a significant milestone for hockey, with the memorable achievement of the Australian women's team (the Hockeyroos) who clinched their first-ever Olympic gold medal (having debuted at Los Angeles 1984). This achievement paved the way for the Hockeyroos to win gold in at Atlanta in 1996 and Sydney in 2000. This team was one of the greatest the sport has seen as they embraced the potential of turf-hockey, dominating with new speed and skills.
Seoul 1988 Olympics. Credit: Richard Ellis / Alamy Stock Photo.
Sydney 2000 Olympics
Innovation at the core of the hockey skills revolution
The turn of the millennium brought with it a wave of change for Poligras and hockey, as the turf underwent significant technological advancements.
The Sydney 2000 Poligras turf introduced colour for the first time which literally opened hockey’s eyes to new possibilities (Poligras was also used for the triathlon transition area in front of the Sydney Opera House). Shortly after, Poligras turbo-charged the game by introducing turf made from polyethylene fibres. These fibres were more durable and, crucially, softer. This softness meant that the ball sat on the surface, giving the players more control and allowing the ball to be moved at higher speeds.
This led to an explosion in playability, allowing for faster, more precise, and more dynamic play, known as the ‘skills revolution’ and exemplified by players such as Jamie DWYER (AUS), Teun de NOOIJER (NED) and the legendary Luciana AYMAR (ARG).
Polytan installed Poligras at Beijing 2008, which saw Germany’s men’s team and the Netherlands’ women’s team win gold, along with a surprise silver medal for the host nation’s women’s team.
Visually, the brilliant blue turfs of London 2012 further solidified Poligras' reputation as a leader in innovation, improving visibility and making the sport more spectator-friendly than ever before for the 600,000 spectators that flocked to the Riverbank Arena. Powerhouses Germany and the Netherlands claimed gold in the men’s and women’s tournaments, respectively.
“Poligras emerges not just as a turf brand, but as a shining example of pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the world of sports.”
Rio 2016 Olympics
Texturised turf GIVES PLAYERS EVEN MORE POSSIBILITIES
Poligras once again revolutionised the world of hockey turfs with the introduction of its ground-breaking texturised turf technology in time for Rio 2016.
This innovation, characterised by a significant change in fibre shape, resulted in a more fluid and multi-directional game, that allowed players to elevate their skills with unprecedented control, 360°-3D creativity and speed. This era of turf innovation not only propelled the game to new heights but also marked a significant stride in environmental sustainability, with the new turf technology boasting substantial water retention capabilities, requiring up to 50% less water for match play.
Championing sustainability from Tokyo to Paris
Poligras' commitment to innovation is matched by its dedication to sustainability. The Tokyo 2020 Games saw the unveiling of the world's first climate-positive hockey turf, made from 60% sugarcane. This landmark achievement has been further refined for Paris 2024, with the Poligras Paris GT zero turf setting a new benchmark as the world's first carbon-zero hockey surface.
This cutting-edge turf, made from 80% sugarcane, is not just a playing surface, it's a bold statement in the movement towards sustainable sports infrastructure and the ambitious sustainability goals of these Games. Featuring the revolutionary Turf Glide technology, it performs both wet and dry, ensuring an optimal playing experience for athletes and a thrilling spectacle for fans.
beyond the turf
The legacy of Poligras, Polytan and AstroTurf is not confined to technological achievements or the Olympics. It represents a broader vision for the future of hockey—a sport characterised by speed, skill, inclusion and fair play. Both Polytan and AstroTurf have supported hockey globally for over 40 years, and Sport Group’s commitment to investing in the performance innovation and environmental sustainability of Poligras hockey turfs is unwavering.
As we reflect on the journey from Moscow to Paris, and then to Los Angeles 2028, Poligras emerges not just as a turf brand, but as a shining example of pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the world of sports. Because of this commitment, Poligras continues to play its part on the Olympic field of play and beyond.
For more hockey history, make sure you catch "The Surface," a documentary tracing hockey’s evolution from grass to turf. Featuring some of the sport’s most illustrious figures, The Surface shows the profound influence that turf has had on the game.