Punjab & Olympics: Against all odds, every third Indian Olympic medalist is from Punjab

Part 1 of 9 Part Series - 1/9

By Saurabh Duggal

Punjab, a state in northern India, has consistently been a sporting powerhouse since the pre-independence era. Despite facing the devastation caused by partition, the scourge of terrorism, and now grappling with drug issues and emigration among its rural youth, Punjab remains at the forefront in sports. This agrarian state has significantly contributed to India’s Olympic contingent, and when it comes to the nation’s Olympic medalists, Punjab stands out as the top contributor.

From Norman Pritchard, who competed as an individual athlete representing India in 1900 and won two silver medals in athletics, to India making its Olympic debut as an official contingent, to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where the country had its best-ever performance with seven medals, Punjab’s contribution has been substantial. Punjab accounts for 33 percent of India’s total Olympic medalists.

Between the 1900 Paris Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, India has clinched 35 medals. Individual sports contribute 23 medals, while the men’s hockey team accounts for 12. The total number of India’s Olympic medalists is 233 (23 individual medalists plus 210 team sport medalists), with Punjab contributing 76 medalists, making every third Indian Olympic medalist hail from the state.

In terms of Olympic medals, out of India’s total tally of 35 medals, Punjab has contributed to 13, accounting for about 40 percent. The country’s first individual Olympic gold was credited to Punjab when shooter Abhinav Bindra became India’s first Olympic gold medalist in an individual sport at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The state has also contributed to all 12 hockey Olympic medals won by India.

“Punjab has always been a sporting powerhouse since the pre-independence era and continues to be so to this day. In the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Indian men’s hockey team won bronze, and more than half of the team was from Punjab. Apart from producing world-class hockey players, the state has also produced top-class athletes and shooters,” said Col. Balbir Singh, who was part of the 1968 Olympic bronze medal men's hockey team.

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