The field at Olympic Park is now blanketed in a blue surface with a hot pink border. The eye-catching color scheme fits right in with the Games and is grabbing some attention for a fringe sport that could use all the help it can get.

Designers behind the idea claim the game is somehow faster on blue, made famous stateside by Boise State’s football team.

In hopes of making the game easier to watch for spectators, the decision was made to change from green turf and white ball to blue turf and yellow ball.

Australian and South African men who played on it Monday morning said they only notice a difference when watching on TV.

Many of those tuning into field hockey are doing so for the first time. But even some who have been watching for years find it jarring at first.

Australian defender Mark Knowles said he loves the new look and that it makes hockey stand out from the other sports played on green fields.