List of Indian Olympic Gold Medalists 2024: Know Champions of India
The Indian Olympic Gold Medalists List displays the glory of hockey's history. Read on to find out about Indian Olympic gold medalists so far.
Deeksha Dixit11 Aug, 2024
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Indian Olympic Gold Medalists: India has won 36 medals across 25 Olympic Games, of which 10 are gold medals. This gold medalist list is dominated by men's field hockey, where we have won 8 gold medals so far. Indian Olympic Gold Medalists have made the nation proud with their exceptional performances.
The achievements of Indian Olympic Gold Medalists continue to inspire millions and showcase India's potential in sports. From the dominance of the hockey team to individual triumphs in shooting and athletics, these athletes have carved their names into the annals of Olympic history. Let’s explore the complete list of Indian Olympic Gold Medalists.Complete List of Olympic Gold Medalists in India
India has won a total of 10 gold medals at the Olympics since 1900. Out of these, most have been won by the men's hockey team, with three pre-independent medals. The following table depicts India's Olympic gold medal history:| List of Olympic Gold Medalists in India | |||
| Olympics | Athlete/Team | Sport | Event |
| Amsterdam 1928 | Indian Men's Hockey Team | Hockey | Men's hockey |
| Los Angeles 1932 | Indian Men's Hockey Team | Hockey | Men's hockey |
| Berlin 1936 | Indian Men's Hockey Team | Hockey | Men's hockey |
| London 1948 | Indian Men's Hockey Team | Hockey | Men's hockey |
| Helsinki 1952 | Indian Men's Hockey Team | Hockey | Men's hockey |
| Melbourne 1956 | Indian Men's Hockey Team | Hockey | Men's hockey |
| Tokyo 1964 | Indian Men's Hockey Team | Hockey | Men's hockey |
| Moscow 1980 | Indian Men's Hockey Team | Hockey | Men's hockey |
| Beijing 2008 | Abhinav Bindra | Shooting | Men's 10m air rifle |
| Tokyo 2020 | Neeraj Chopra | Athletics | Men's javelin throw |
Also Read: Paris Olympics 2024 Medal Tally
Pre-Independence Gold Medalists in India
India made its mark at the Olympics well before gaining independence from British rule. Our male hockey team started dominating this game in 1928 under Major Dhyan Chand with three back-to-back gold medals until 1936. The following table lists the gold medalists from that era:| Pre-Independence Gold Medalists in India | ||
| Year | Event | Description |
| 1928 | Amsterdam Olympics | India's men's hockey team defeated Holland 6-0 to win their first Olympic gold medal under the captainship of Jaipal Singh Munda. |
| 1932 | Los Angeles Olympics | India defeated Japan 11-1 and the U.S. 24-1 to win their second consecutive Olympic gold in hockey under the leadership of Lal Shah Bokhari. |
| 1936 | Berlin Olympics | Under captain Dhyan Chand, India crushed Germany 8-1 to secure their third consecutive Olympic gold in hockey, silencing doubts about their dominance. |
Also Read: Top Indian Players in Paris Olympics 2024
Independent India's Gold Medalists
The country has continued its dominance in hockey even after independence, winning five more golds until the 1980 Moscow Olympics. After a long wait of almost 28 years, Abhinav Bindra won an individual gold medal in shooting, followed by Neeraj Chopra’s magical golds in athletics. Here are the post-independence Olympic records of India:| Indian Olympic Gold Medalists After Independence | ||
| Year | Event | Description |
| 1948 | London Olympics | India won its first Olympic gold medal as an independent nation under captain Balbir Singh Sr. in men's field hockey, defeating Great Britain 4-0. |
| 1952 | Helsinki Olympics | The Indian men's hockey team continued its dominance by winning its fifth consecutive Olympic gold, defeating the Netherlands. |
| 1956 | Melbourne Olympics | India set a hat-trick of Olympic gold as an independent country by winning against Pakistan in the final. |
| 1964 | Tokyo Olympics | India regained its glory despite struggling after beating Pakistan in the final. This victory came after the 1960’s Olympics. |
| 1980 | Moscow Olympics | The Indian men's hockey team secured its eighth Olympic gold by defeating Spain 4-3. This also marked the end of India’s dominance. |
| 2008 | Beijing Olympics | Abhinav Bindra became the first Indian to win an individual Olympic gold medal in the 10m air rifle event. |
| 2020 | Tokyo Olympics | Neeraj Chopra created history by winning India's first-ever Olympic gold medal in athletics, clinching the javelin throw title. |
Also Read: Paris Olympics 2024
Sport Wise Gold Medalists in India
While hockey remained popular throughout history, there was little success in other sports at the Olympics. Out of 10, just 2 medals were clinched in other sports, making Indian sports governance take proactive initiatives like Khelo India and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). Here are sport-wise Indian Olympic Gold Medalists:| Sport Wise Gold Medalists in India | |||
| Sport | Year(s) | Description | Key Players |
| Hockey | 1928, 1932, 1936, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1964, 1980 | India has won 8 Olympic gold medals in men's hockey. | Dhyan Chand, Balbir Singh Sr., Kishan Lal, KD Singh Baba, Vasudevan Baskaran |
| Shooting | 2008 | India has won 1 individual Olympic gold medal in shooting. | Abhinav Bindra (Men's 10m Air Rifle) |
| Athletics | 2020 | India has won 1 individual Olympic gold medal in athletics. | Neeraj Chopra (Men's Javelin Throw) |
Who Are Indian Olympic Gold Medalists?
While hockey shined under notable players like Balbir Singh Sr., Kishan Lal, and Major Dhyan Chand, there are two Indians who won individual gold medals for the country.Abhinav Bindra
Abhinav Bindra achieved a landmark victory at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he became the first Indian to win an individual Olympic gold medal in the men's 10m air rifle event. Over his illustrious career, Bindra has won over 150 medals in shooting and has been influential in shaping sports policy in India.
Neeraj Chopra
Neeraj Chopra won gold in the men's javelin throw at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, making him the second Indian to secure an individual Olympic gold. Chopra's victory was historic as he became the first Asian athlete to win gold in javelin at the Olympics. His achievement not only marked a significant milestone in Indian athletics but also inspired the next generation.
Also Read: Economic Impact of Olympics
India’s Dominance in Hockey
India has a rich history in hockey, showcasing dominance in the Olympics for decades. The Indian Men's Hockey Team has been the most successful among Indian Olympic Gold Medalists, securing eight gold medals between 1928 and 1980. The team showcased exceptional skills and strategies, especially during the mid-20th century, making them a powerhouse in field hockey. Players like Dhyan Chand and Balbir Singh Sr. became legends, inspiring future generations. The team struggled in recent decades but made a remarkable comeback with a bronze medal in Tokyo 2020. The Indian team reached the semifinals of the 2020 and 2024 Olympics, reviving national pride and hopes for a gold medal in the future. Learn more about famous Indian Olympians. Enroll in the top UPSC courses by Physics Wallah today!Indian Olympic Gold Medalists FAQs
How many Olympic gold medalists are there in India?
India has won 10 Olympic gold medals across various sports, with the majority in men's field hockey.
Who won the gold medal for India in the Olympics?
India’s gold medalists include the Indian Men's Hockey Team, Abhinav Bindra in shooting and Neeraj Chopra in athletics.
Who is the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal?
Karnam Malleswari became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal, securing bronze in weightlifting at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
What initiatives are taken by Indian government to improve Olympic medal tally?
The Indian government has launched initiatives like Khelo India and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) to support athletes and improve the country’s performance in international sports.
When did India win its first Olympic medal?
India won its first Olympic gold medal in 1928 in men's hockey, beginning a legacy of dominance in the sport.
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