The Olympic Games stand as the greatest celebration of sports, where individuals from diverse ethnicities, cultures, and backgrounds proudly represent their nations. Among them are athletes of Indian descent who have excelled on the global stage, bringing glory both to their roots and to their adopted countries.
India has won a total of 35 medals so far in the Olympics. Let’s find out about the Indian-origin athletes who won an Olympic medal with a different country.
1. Mohini Bharadwaj (Gymnastics, USA)
Mohini Bharadwaj, a true trailblazer gymnast, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. With roots in India and competing for the USA, she became the first Indian-American gymnast to medal at the Olympics. In the 2004 Athens Olympics, she clinched the silver medal in the women’s team event.
2. Raj Bhavsar (Gymnastics, USA)
Another American gymnast, Raj Bhavsar, was born in Houston, Texas, USA. Bhavsar’s father is from Vadodara, Gujarat, and his mother was born in Kampala, Uganda, but educated in Gujarat. His father migrated to the US for work opportunities, where Bhavsar explored gymnastics and excelled in the sport. In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he won the bronze medal in the men’s artistic team all-around event.
3. Rajeev Ram (Tennis, USA)
Rajeev Ram, born in the US to parents who immigrated from Bangalore, India, has represented the United States and achieved success. The tennis doubles specialist won a silver medal in mixed doubles with Venus Williams at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
4. Alexi Grewal (Cycling, USA)
Alexi Singh Grewal was born in the United States to a Punjabi Sikh family. He has two brothers, Rishi and Ranjeet, who are also accomplished cyclists. Grewal became a national hero after winning the first-ever American gold medal in the men’s road race cycling event at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
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