The hockey tournament at the Sochi 2014 Olympics will be played on international-sized rinks measuring 60 meters by 30 meters. ╜The decision has been confirmed by the International Ice Hockey Federation Council on Thursday. "This decision was not as obvious as it may have been some years ago. In our thorough evaluation of Vancouver 2010, we received very positive feedback about playing on the small surface and the IIHF has today recognized both surfaces as fitting for international hockey," Rene Fasel, IIHF president, told the organization`s official website. Last year`s games in Vancouver became the first Olympics played on North American-sized rinks, which is narrower, with a size of 60 meters by 26 meters. "Nowadays, all IIHF events which are hosted by American or Canadian organizers, be it the World U20 Championship or the World Women`s, are played on small rinks as this is the North American tradition and if you play in Canada or in the United States you play on the existing rinks, and we no longer ask the organizer to widen the rink to conform with international standard," he said. Two North American nations battled it out for the hockey gold of Vancouver, with hosts Canada taking the better of Team USA. "Conversely, when an IIHF-sanctioned event takes place in Europe, we should acknowledge the custom on this continent. This is really the prime reason for the decision," Fasel added. Twelve men`s and eight women`s hockey teams will take part in the Sochi Games in three years` time.