India's achievers in Olympics
  8/11/2008 8:20:47 PM

India's huge population bemuses people, and so does its lacklustre performance at the Olympics. Yet some of our athletes had their share of glory. Though India has won eight gold medals in hockey, apart from one silver and two bronzes, it has just four medals - one silver and three bronzes - to show in the individual events in the post-Independence era.

NDTV.com traces the glorious moments in India's Olympic history that brought some cheer to the nation.

The maiden medal

In 1900, an Anglo-Indian called Norman Pritchard was holidaying in Paris. The Olympics Games were being held and he participated in two events. Thus began India's maiden participation in Olympics.

Pritchard won silver in both the events that he took part in - the 200 metres race as well as 200 metres hurdles.

Olympic historians have argued his nationality as India was under the colonial rule in 1900. Some say he participated as an Indian while some argue that he represented Britain.

The International Olympic Committee, however, has recognized him as an Indian.