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Yuvaraja Karunakaran

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Paris Olympics 2024: A look at Indian Athletics medals over the years

Paris Olympics 2024: A Look At Indian Athletics Medals Over The Years

A Look At Indian Athletics Medals In Olympics Over The Years

India has won a total of 38 medals so far at the Olympic Games since the first edition they competed in the 1900 Paris Olympics. Fast forward ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024, out of the 38 medals, only 3 medals have come from athletics with Neeraj Chopra being the latest to win. India's first two medals have come from the 1900 Summer Olympics when they made their first appearance in the quadrennial event. Norman Pritchard, who is known as a "controversial" Olympian and was claimed by both Britain and India became the first Indian to win the Olympic medal. Pritchard won both of the nation's only two athletics medals. However, in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, India's Neeraj Chopra finally ended a long hiatus of a medal in the track and field event when he won a gold in the Men's Javelin throw event.

Paris Olympics 2024: A look at Indian Athletics medals over the years

Norman Pritchard, who is known as a "controversial" Olympian is India's first Olympic medallist where he clinched two medals - silver in the 200m hurdles and the 200m dash event. Talking about India Olympics medals, October 30 marks the death anniversary of India's first Olympic medallist, Norman Pritchard. Born in Kolkata on January 23, 1875 Norman was a British citizen who represented India in the 1900 Olympics. At the 1900 Paris Olympics, Pritchard participated in five events and reached the finals in three - 110m hurdles, 200m dash and 200m hurdles. Pritchard did not qualify for the 60m and 100m dash, despite winning the first heat of the 100m event.

1. Norman Pritchard - 1900 Paris Olympics (2 Silver Medals)

Going all the way back to the British era, India's first two medals came from the 1900 Summer Olympics when they made their first appearance in the quadrennial event. Norman Pritchard was the first Indian to win the Olympic medal. Pritchard won both of the nation's only two athletics medals and competed in the 200m sprint and 200m hurdles event at the Paris Olympics 1900. He set a world record of 26.8s in the men's 200m hurdles semi-finals. Norman Pritchard was overtaken soon after by USA's Alvin Kraenzlein, who ran 25.4s for the gold medal in the final. Pritchard settled for silver in 26.0 seconds. He also then went on to clinch the silver medal in the men's 200m sprint. He qualified for the final after a second-place finish in the semifinals and ran 22.8 to win India's second silver medal. USA's Walter Tewksbury took the gold in 22.8.

2. Neeraj Chopra - 2020 Tokyo Olympics (1 Gold Medal)

After 120 years, India's golden boy Neeraj Chopra brought gold in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics adding to Norman Pritchardโ€™s two Olympic medals. Neeraj Chopra thus became the first Indian to claim gold in athletics (Track and field events). Chopra won India's first track and field Olympic gold medal in history after winning the men's javelin throw in Tokyo. He threw an impressive 86.65m in the qualification round to qualify for the final, where he later threw 87.58m to win the gold medal. The 26-year-old is the favourite for another gold medal heading into the 2024 Summer Olympic Games javelin throw competition, the final of which is scheduled for August 8.

Neeraj Chopra stands as India's top medal contender in Paris, having maintained an impressive streak of podium finishes since his gold win in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Despite an injury setback, Neeraj's consistency is expected to shine through. A minor adductor strain had sidelined Chopra from some events ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024, but his coach Klaus Bartonietz confirmed he's now fully recovered. Ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, the world's elite javelin throwers have been hitting the 87-89m range, but Neeraj is yet to achieve a 90m throw. Despite fewer appearances this year, his 88.36m throw at the Doha Diamond League remains among the top throws of the 2024 season.

However, looking at his recent form in 2022, Neeraj Chopra pulled off his best throw of 89.94 metres at the Stockholm Diamond League. He also won the gold medal in the Diamond League. Last year, Neeraj won the gold medal at the Budapest World Championships. Recently, he missed the Paris Diamond League due to a minor adductor strain. But rest assured that Neeraj Chopra will be looking to put his best foot forward in the Paris Olympics 2024. As per the Olympic India schedule, Neeraj Chopra's Javelin Throw Qualification Group B in the Paris Olympics 2024 starts at 3:20 pm IST.

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