Rio Olympics: A look back at the history of India at the Summer Olympics over the years

New Delhi : India’s performance at the Summer Olympics, which has seen them win 26 medals, dates back to the year 1900. The sport that has brought more glory than any other is field hockey where India have won eight gold medals. Then there is shooting where Abhinav Bindra stood first, winning India’s only individual Olympic gold. A special mention must be given to wrestling where India have bagged four medals thus far. This has been ably led by Sushil Kumar, who has won a silver and a bronze. Talking of hockey and shooting, one has seen India win eleven and four medals respectively in what are the country’s two most successful sports at the Olympics. While boxing has got two medals, weightlifting, tennis and badminton have seen one each. Now for some trivia. Norman Gilbert Pritchard, an athlete of British decent won two silver medals in 1900 while competing for India at the games in athletics. He was born in India but settled in Britain a few years after his Olympics show.The Rio Olympics in 2016 are the first time that India is sending over 100 athletes to any Olympics. There are high hopes from the usual suspects and perhaps a dark horse like golf which may throw up a surprise or two. While India’s history at the games is not very expansive, there is a chance to write new pieces, create new history, win new medals and stamp a certain class of authority that can tell the world that we are here to stay.