The modern game of hockey originated in England in the late 19th century. Historically, the game spread through the colonies of the British Empire, and so most of the dominant nations of the time began playing hockey, including Australia, New Zealand, India, and Pakistan.
Hockey was first featured at the 1908 Summer Olympics, then again in 1920, but was eventually dropped due to a lack of an international organization. To address this situation, the Fédération Internationale de Hockey (FIH) was formed in 1924, followed by the International Federation of Women's Hockey Associations (IFWHA) three years later in 1927, which merged with the FIH in 1983. As a result, hockey returned to the Olympic schedule for the 1928 Summer Olympics.
India has the most medals, with 12, including eight gold. The Netherlands is next with 18 medals and six golds. Seven male hockey players, all Indian, have earned three gold medals, out of which Leslie Claudis and Udham Singh have one silver medal with their three golds. Teun de Nooijer, of the Netherlands, has won four medals, including two golds.
Lidewij Welten of the Netherlands, Eva de Goede of Belgium, and Rechelle Hawkes of Australia have all won three gold medals in women's hockey, while Lucha Aymar, an Argentinean player, has four hockey medals (two silver and two bronze), as do Welten and de Goede.
The List of Olympic Medalists of Team USA in Hockey
The United States is at the bottom of the hockey medal table with two bronze medals, won in 1932 and 1984, by men's and women's teams, respectively. Let us take a closer look at the medalists.
The list of Olympic medalists for Team USA in hockey is as follows:
| Year | Event | Name(s) | Medal |
| 1932 | Hockey, Men | Harold Brewster, Sam Ewing, Leonard O'Brien, Henry Greer, Jimmy Gentle, Horace Disston, Larry Knapp, Charles Sheaffer, Amos Deacon, Bill Boddington, Dave McMullin, Fred Wolters, Warren Ingersoll, Roy Coffin | Bronze |
| 1984 | Hockey, Women | Gwen Cheeseman, Beth Anders, Kathy McGahey, Anita Miller, Gina Buggy, Chris Larson Mason, Beth Beglin, Marcy Place, Julie Staver, Diane Moyer, Sheryl Johnson, Char Morett, Karen Shelton, Brenda Stauffer, Leslie Milne, Judy Strong | Bronze |
FAQ's On Olympic Medalists in Hockey
A. Yes, hockey has been an Olympic sport since 1908; however, it was dropped in between but returned in 1928.
A. The hockey events of the 2024 Paris Olympics will be held at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium in Paris.
A. Ice hockey is played at the Winter Olympics.
A. There are eleven players in field hockey, including one goalkeeper.
A. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, 12 teams of men and women have qualified for hockey.
