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The Indian hockey team carries a rich legacy when it comes to the Olympics. They have been the most successful for India at the Games, winning medals right from the Amsterdam 1928 edition.
The legendary Dhyan Chand scored 14 goals, including a hat-trick in the final against Netherlands as India won its first-ever hockey medal at the Olympics, that being a gold as well.
The Indian hockey team has won a total of 12 medals at the Olympics, the most by an athlete/team at the Games for the country. Starting in 1928, the team had a dominant and historic run, winning six consecutive gold medals in as many editions (Los Angeles 1932, Berlin 1936, London 1948, Helsinki 1952, Melbourne 1956).
There came a temporary break after the 'golden' run where the Indian hockey team failed to continue their gold medal streak. At the Rome 1960 Olympics, their unparalleled gold streak came to an end as they suffered a 0-1 defeat to Pakistan in the final and had to settle for silver.
However, they bounced back in the very next edition. The Tokyo 1964 Olympics saw them avenge their loss against Pakistan in Rome. India faced Pakistan in the final once again, this time beating them 1-0 to claim the gold medal for the seventh time.
There came a slight downfall going forward, as the Indian hockey team could only manage to win bronze medals in the next two Olympic Games in Mexico City (1968) and Munich (1972).
At the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, the team failed to win any medal, finishing seventh after a disappointing campaign. The Moscow Olympics in 1980 saw the team surge a spirited comeback, as they went on to beat Spain 4-3 in the final to clinch their eighth Olympic gold medal.
However, this remains India's last Olympic gold as far as hockey is concerned. The team failed to win any medals at the Games for a long period after the 1980 Olympics, marking a tough phase, until the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Can the Indian hockey team regain its glory in Paris?
The Indian hockey team had to wait for 41 long years to win a medal at the Olympics again when they won the bronze at the Tokyo 2020 edition, defeating Germany 5-4.
The team has won 12 medals overall, which include eight gold, one silver, and three bronze medals.
Post the 1980 Moscow Olympics, the team has failed to be as consistent and dominant as they used to be at one point of time. Come the Paris Olympics 2024, Harmanpreet Singh and his troops will be eager to rewrite history and bring back India's glory days at the Olympics in the sport of hockey.
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