In the rich history of the Olympic Games, India have won 35 medals. Out of these 35 medals, nine have been silver medals. While India’s first silver medal came in Paris Olympics 1900, it was won by an athlete from British origin. The first silver came after India became an independent nation. However, India had to wait more than a century since the Modern Olympic Games began before an athlete won a silver medal in an individual event.
Here’s a look at nine silver medals for India at the Olympics:
British origin athlete wins two silvers
Norman Gilbert Pritchard, the athlete from British origin who was born in Calcutta (Kolkata) represented India in the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris. He won two silver medals at the Games, one in men's 200m and the other in men's 200m hurdles. While Great Britain claims that he didn't represent India, the International Olympic Committee said that the two silver medals belong to India.
India men’s hockey settles for silver
After six consecutive gold medals, India men's hockey team settled for silver in Rome Olympics 1960. In the final clash, they were beaten 1-0 by arch-rivals. However, India won the gold medal in the next edition of Olympics in Tokyo.
Rathore creates history
India's first silver in an individual event came in Athens Olympics 2004. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore won the silver medal at men's double trap shooting event. It remains India's only medal in this category.
Two silver in same edition
In the London 2012 Olympics, Sushil Kumar and Vijay Kumar bagged silver in respective categories. Wrestler Sushi won the silver in men's 66kg category whereas Vijay won silver in men's 25m rapid pistol shooting.
Sindhu misses gold
PV Sindhu lost to Spain's Carolina Marin in 2016 Rio Olympics. The game lasted 83 minutes in a closely fought final. Marin beat here 19-21, 21-12, 21-15 to clinch the gold medal. In the next edition, she won a bronze medal as well.
Mirabai’s record lift
In Tokyo Olympics 2020, Mirabai Chanu bettered Karnam Malleswari's two-decade-old feat. Mirabai won the silver in women's 49kg weightlifting category.
Another silver in Tokyo 2020
In the same edition of the Olympics, Ravi Dahiya in the men's 57kg wrestling event settled for a silver. Dahiya became the first Indian wrestler to win a silver medal after Sushil.
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