ACOG - News - IBM

(21 July 1996; Day 02)

Dutch Hockey Veteran Still Has Something to Prove in Atlanta

For a 31-year-old male hockey player with 255 international appearances under his belt, one would think there would be nothing that Marcus DELISSEN has left to prove. He is one of the most admired hockey players in the Netherlands and one of the leaders of a Dutch team that is expected to contend for gold medal honors this year. But in Atlanta, DELISSEN is out to prove that old dogs can learn new tricks.

For over a decade, DELISSEN played center midfielder for the Dutch hockey team. But in Atlanta, a line-up shuffle has moved him to the center-forward spot.

"With the move, I feel like I have to prove myself all over again. But this was a good way to start the tournament," DELISSEN said with a smile after he scored a goal and assisted on the other score in the Netherlands' 2-0 victory over Malaysia in the opening game of Pool B action at the 1996 Olympic Games.

DELISSEN scored in the 10th minute to give the Dutch a 1-0 lead and added a sharp pass to Leo KLEIN GEBBINK in the 42nd minute to account for the final score.

Despite the 2-0 win, DELISSEN knows that the toughest games lie ahead for the Dutch team. Australia, Great Britain and a Korean team which recently tied the powerful German squad await the Netherlands in Pool B competition.

"This will be a very tough tournament for us," DELISSEN offered. "On paper, Malaysia was the weakest team in the pool and we only beat them 2-0. All of our games will be very hard, but we're very prepared."

According to DELISSEN, one of the keys to the Netherlands' possible success in the Olympic Games will be the team's mixture of youth and experience. Four players on the Dutch squad have over 200 games of international experience, while five have 64 games or less.

"My advice to the younger players at the Olympic Games has been to not sit behind a computer or get caught up in anything other than playing our matches," DELISSEN explained. "In this tournament, we have to play our best every game."

This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Kevin Henry.


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An estimated 5.3 million visted Centennial Olympic Park between opening day - 13 July - and closing day - 4 August, making the park the most single most visited Olympic site during the Games.