Indians at the Olympics

India has a long history at the Olympic Games, extending to more than a hundred years. The first time India participated in the Olympic Games was in the year 1900. In its first year at the Olympics, India had sent only one athlete, Norman Pritchard, who won two Olympic Silver Medals in Men’s 200 meters and Men’s 200 meter hurdles category. However, since Norman Pritchard was of British origin, many experts feel that his wins cannot be attributed to India even though he had technically represented India at the 1900 Paris Olympics. India sent its first team to the Olympic Games in 1920 and since then it has participated in all Olympic Games. India has participated in both Summer Olympic Games and Winter Olympic Games, but all the medal wins have come in the Summer Olympic Games. India has yet to win a medal at the Winter Olympic Games.

India’s participation in the Olympic Games

In 1920, the first Indian team to participate in Olympic Games comprised two wrestlers and four athletes. The Indian Olympic movement gained traction after this and several prominent personalities started promoting Olympics in India. It was in the year 1923 that the first All India Olympic Committee was created. This committee was tasked with the selection of athletes who would represent India at the Olympic Games. In 1927, the committee was officiallydeclaredthe Indian Olympic Association (IOA). Since then, the IOA has taken up a much wider role including selection of athletes, promotion of sports in India, and training of athletes.

Indian Medal winners at the Olympics

India has more than 100 years of participation in the Olympic Games, but its medal count has not been that good. From 1900 to 2016 Summer Olympics, India has won only 28 medals, comprising 9 gold medals, 7 silver medals and 12 bronze medals. These medals have been won in Field Hockey, Shooting, Athletics, Wresting, Badminton, Boxing, Tennis and Weightlifting. It is interesting to note that most Olympic medals and Gold medals have been won by India in Field Hockey. There was a time when India’s hockey team was a world champion and it had won 8 Gold Medals, 1 Silver Medal and 2 Bronze Medals at the Olympic Games. However, the medals in hockey dried up after 1972 Olympics. Since then, India has not won a medal in field hockey at the Olympics. Nonetheless, other sports have gained popularity in India and medals have been won in these categories.

Here’s a complete list of Indian medal winners at the Olympics: