All games were played at the hockey centre within the Hellinikon Olympic Complex in Athens, Greece.

Australia won the gold medal for the first time after defeating defending champions the Netherlands 2–1 in the final.

[2] Although the host nation would have qualified automatically as well, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) refused to give them an automatic berth due to the standard of hockey in Greece.

Greece's first option to gain a place at the Olympics was by qualifying for the EuroHockey Nations Championship held in 2003.

Greece lost the first two matches against Canada, losing their chance to qualify to the Olympics.