India is the most successful sub-continental country at the Olympics with a total of 28 medals- 8 gold, 7 silver and 12 bronze, but the fact still remains unnoticed to many people. The country has not been a great force to reckon in the sports at the world stage, but it is sure on an improving curve, with number of role models emerging in the country. In order that we don’t miss on any important fact, here’s a look at some of the unnoticed facts about India at the Olympics.
- In which year did India first participated at the Olympic Games?
India first participated at the Olympic Games in 1900, with lone athlete Norman Pritchard.
- Who is the first medallist for India at the Olympic Games?
Norman Pritchard was the first Indian to win a medal at the Olympics, he won two silver in 1900 Paris Olympics- 200m, 200m hurdles.
- When did India won its first gold medal at the Olympics.
Indian men’s hockey team won the first gold medal for India in 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, and the streak continued till the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, winning 6 consecutive Olympic gold medals. India is still the most successful team in hockey at the Olympics, with 8 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze.
- Who is the first Indian medallist(Individual) of Independent India at Olympics?
Khasaba Dadasaheb Jadhav is the first individual medallist of the Independent India. He won bronze in men’s bantamweight wrestling at 1952 Helsinki Olympics. However, Indian men’s hockey team won gold in 1948 London Olympics, post the Indian Independence from the Britishers.
- Who is the first Indian woman to win a medal at the Olympics?
Karnam Malleswari is the first Indian woman to win a medal at the Olympics. She participated in 2000 Sydney Olympics in women’s 69kg weightlifting and won a bronze medal.
- Who is the first Indian athlete(Individual) to win a gold at Olympics?
Abhinav Bindra is the first Indian to win a gold at the Olympics. He participated in 2008 Beijing Olympics in men’s 10m air pistol shooting event and won a gold medal.
- Who is the most successful Indian athlete of the Independent India at the Olympics?
Sushil Kumar is the most successful Indian athlete at the Olympics post the Indian independence. He was won two medals in men’s 66kg freestyle wrestling- Bronze in 2008 Beijing Olympics and silver in 2012 London Olympics.
- When did India won the maximum medals at the Olympics?
83-member Indian contingent participating in the 2012 London Olympics won the maximum medals for India at the Olympics, with a total of six medals. Wrestler Sushil Kumar won silver in men’s 66kg category, Saina Nehwal won bronze medal in badminton, pugilist Mary Kom won bronze medal in Women’s flyweight category, Gagan Narang won bronze in men’s 10m air rifle shooting, Wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt won bronze in men’s 60kg category and Vijay Kumar won silver in men’s 25m rapid fire pistol shooting.
- Who is the youngest Indian medallist?
PV Sindhu became the youngest ever Indian medallist after she clinched a silver in women’s singles badminton event at 2016 Rio Olympics. She was just 21-year-old when she achieved the historic feat at the 2016 edition of the games.
