All the teams that will be present at the top continental event in Santiago, Chile, dream of achieving the ultimate prize: the championship and direct qualification to the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, each nation adjusts its goals to its own reality.
In the women's category, Argentina's Las Leonas are the team that has won this tournament the most times and hold the title of reigning champions from Lima 2019. They are also the highest-ranked team in the Americas, sitting at 3rd place in the world rankings. Agostina Alonso, one of the team's captains, explained, "It's not pressure to be defending champions or always aiming for a podium. We want to win because of the commitment we put in every week, the effort, because we train a lot to reach the highest level and secure qualification. It's a motivation. We know the history of the jersey and the medals it has, but we want to write our own story, respecting the years before," concluded the World Cup runner-up midfielder.
Playing on home turf could be an advantage for Chile's Las Diablas, ranked 14th internationally, who have been on the rise for years under the project led by Sergio Vigil. In 2022, on their own soil, they secured a World Cup spot for the first time. Camila Caram, the team's captain, said, "The Pan American Games are the biggest sporting event to be held in the country since the 1960 World Cup. I've played in several of them, and there's nothing better than having my last Pan American Games in Santiago with a new stadium. We are very happy with the stadium, which has nothing to envy from the rest of the world. We have a dream of becoming champions, but we know it's challenging, so our goal is to reach the final, and anything can happen there."
Uruguay (25th) finished fifth in Lima 2019, but this time, they come with more experience and preparation. Manuela Vilar del Valle, one of the key players for Las Cimarronas, explained, "We arrive with many preparation matches for the first time in the history of Uruguayan hockey, including water-based field training. We aim to compete for a medal and qualify for the Pre-Olympic (Note: the second, third, and fourth teams in this tournament qualify). We know it's a very difficult goal, and we have a tough group, but we are preparing for it," said the player from La Celeste.
On the men's side, aspirations also change according to each team's situation.
Tariq Marcano is one of the key players for Trinidad and Tobago (41st in the rankings). With 69 international matches and 39 goals, he is a crucial part of the team aiming for glory in Santiago de Chile. He said, "Since Winnipeg 1999, the men's team has represented the country in every Pan American Games. This year, the team's objective is to secure qualification, at least by finishing in the top six. Ideally, we want to qualify for the Olympics in France next year, but first, we must reach a mental and physical state where we can compete with players from Argentina (former Olympic champions), Canada, and Chile. Personally, matching or surpassing our best result, 4th place in the 2007 Pan American Games, will be a tough task, but in my opinion, it's possible if we as a team truly believe we can," concluded Marcano, who has also represented the indoor team.
The team from Brazil (35th) aims to surprise. Their most recent competition was the 2022 South American Games in Asunción, where they won the bronze medal. Joaquín López, who was also part of the team in Rio 2016, explained what it means to them to be in this competition: "We know that today this is our most important tournament. While we had the honor of playing the Olympics at home, it's very difficult to qualify again. The weight of a medal around your neck is one of the most beautiful sensations, but our goal for this tournament is to finish in the top four and reach the semifinals," said the Brazilian player. In the men's category, the second and third-placed teams will qualify for the Pre-Olympic.
Pat Harris has been wearing the United States jersey for over a decade (22nd), making them the third-highest-ranked men's team in the Americas, with Argentina ranking 7th and Canada 17th. The enthusiasm for these Pan American Games is still strong: "First, we want to reach the semifinals and then the final." He also explained what it means for him to represent the team: "I am very proud to represent my country, particularly in this tournament. The feeling of knowing that you are representing your family, friends, and a nation is something very special; it helps you understand that what you are doing is bigger than yourself," said one of the most influential players in the squad.
The action will begin on October 25th at 9:30 AM local time when the first match of the championship takes place at the National Stadium. The men's teams from Canada and Brazil will open the tournament and the field, igniting all these hopes. Only the top team in each category will secure a direct Olympic qualification spot. In the women's category, the second, third, and fourth-placed teams will have another chance in the Pre-Olympic, as will the second and third-placed men's teams. It's time to play!
