The 2024 Summer Olympics are just around the corner, set to take place from July 26 to August 11 in France. Over 10,000 athletes from 206 nations will compete across a diverse range of sports, with 329 gold medal events up for grabs.
Indian athletes have been a consistent presence at the Summer Olympic Games since 1900. At the Tokyo 2020 Games, India reached a historic milestone by winning seven medals, marking the most successful performance at the prestigious global event.
Overall, India has won a total of 35 medals – including 10 golds, from 25 editions of the Olympic Games. K.D. Jadhav was the first individual Indian athlete to win an Olympic medal. He won a bronze medal in wrestling at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. However, India’s first medal as an independent nation was a gold in men’s hockey at the 1948 London Olympics.
For the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, India will be represented by 117 athletes. This contingent includes 29 participants in athletics, 21 in shooting, and 19 in hockey.
Complete list of 10 gold medals Indian athletes have won at the Olympics, so far
1. 1928 Amsterdam – Men’s Field Hockey
India’s first Olympic gold medal came in 1928 when the men’s field hockey team defeated Netherlands 3-0 in the final. Led by Dhyan Chand, often considered the greatest hockey player of all time, the team set the foundation for India’s strong legacy in Olympic hockey.
2. 1932 Los Angeles – Men’s Field Hockey
The Indian men’s field hockey team won their second consecutive gold in 1932. They defeated the United States 24-1, with Dhyan Chand and his brother Roop Singh, scoring 18 goals.
3. 1936 Berlin – Men’s Field Hockey
In the 1936 Berlin Olympics, India won their third straight gold medal in men’s field hockey by defeating Germany 8-1 in the final. Dhyan Chand finished the Berlin Olympics with a total tally of 11 goals.
4. 1948 London – Men’s Field Hockey
After a hiatus due to World War II, the Olympics resumed in 1948, and India clinched their fourth gold in men’s field hockey by beating Great Britain 4-0 under the captaincy of Balbir Singh Sr. This was India’s first Olympic gold as an independent nation.
5. 1952 Helsinki – Men’s Field Hockey
India continued their winning streak in the Olympics, securing their fifth consecutive gold medal in men’s field hockey in 1952. They defeated the Netherlands 6-1 in the final where Balbir Singh Sr. scored five goals.
6. 1956 Melbourne – Men’s Field Hockey
The Indian men’s field hockey team, led by Balbir Singh Sr., won their sixth consecutive gold medal at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics by defeating Pakistan 1-0 in the final. The Indian team remained unbeaten throughout their 1956 campaign.
7. 1964 Tokyo – Men’s Field Hockey
After losing the gold to Pakistan in 1960, India, led by Prithipal Singh, reclaimed their dominance in the sport by winning the gold medal in men’s field hockey in 1964. They defeated Pakistan 1-0 in the final, avenging their previous loss.
8. 1980 Moscow – Men’s Field Hockey
India’s eighth gold medal in men’s field hockey came in the 1980 Moscow Olympics. They defeated Spain 4-3 in the final match. This was India’s last Olympic gold win in field hockey.
9. 2008 Beijing – Abhinav Bindra (Men’s 10m Air Rifle)
Abhinav Bindra made history by becoming the first Indian individual Olympic gold medalist in 2008. He won the gold in the men’s 10m air rifle event.
10. 2021 Tokyo – Neeraj Chopra (Men’s Javelin Throw)
Neeraj Chopra won India’s first-ever gold medal in athletics at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. His throw of 87.58 metres in the men’s javelin final secured the gold, making him a national hero. Chopra will be one of India’s biggest medal hopes at Paris 2024.
