Hockey has been one of the most prestigious sports in the Summer Olympic Games. Since its debut at the 1908 London Olympics, the game has evolved significantly. Initially played on natural grass fields, the introduction of turf surfaces revolutionized the sport. India, a dominant force in hockey during the 1900s, boasts an impressive medal tally in Olympic history.
In the Paris Olympics, India, led by captain Harmanpreet Singh, aims to upgrade their bronze medal from the Tokyo Olympics to gold.
Field hockey at the Summer Olympics medals
India have won the most medals in field hockey, clinching 8 gold, 1 silver, and 4 bronze medals.
| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| 1 | India | 8 | 1 | 4 | 13 |
| 2 | Pakistan | 3 | 3 | 2 | 8 |
| 3 | Great Britain | 3 | 2 | 4 | 9 |
| 4 | Germany | 3 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| 5 | Netherlands | 2 | 4 | 3 | 9 |
| 6 | Australia | 1 | 4 | 5 | 10 |
| 7 | West Germany | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 8 | Belgium | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 9 | Argentina | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| New Zealand | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| 11 | Spain | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| 12 | Denmark | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Japan | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| South Korea | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| 15 | Soviet Union | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| United States | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| United Team of Germany | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
From 1928 to 1964, India competed in eight Olympics and took home seven gold medals. Later on, Pakistan emerged victorious as well, taking home three gold and three silver medals from 1956 to 1984. Following the 1980s, India lost its hegemony, and Pakistan followed suit in the 1990s. Pakistan won the gold medal at the 1984 Games, and India won the last one in 1980. In the 2020 Olympics, India did, however, win the bronze medal once more.
A number of international teams have won gold medals since 1968. In both men’s and women’s field hockey, a number of Southern Hemisphere nations, notably Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, and Zimbabwe, have taken home medals. Germany and the Netherlands have produced a number of elite teams from the Northern Hemisphere.
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