India’s performance in hockey at the Paris Olympics

• Historical Context:
  • Four-Decade Long Jinx: India broke a 40-year drought by securing a bronze medal in Tokyo, and reaffirmed its elite status with another bronze medal in Paris.
  • Back-to-Back Olympic Medals: India achieved this feat for the first time since the Munich Olympics in 1972.
• Performance in Paris Olympics:
  • Match Result: India won the bronze medal match against Spain with a score of 2-1.
  • Coaching and Strategy: Under new coach Craig Fulton, India adapted to a defense-first strategy and managed to secure back-to-back bronze medals.
  • Significant Players:
    • P.R. Sreejesh: The veteran goalkeeper who retired after the Paris Olympics.
    • Harmanpreet Singh: His crucial penalty corner conversion secured the win for India.
  • Match Highlights:
    • First Half: Spain took the lead with a penalty stroke by Marc Miralles. India equalized just before halftime with a goal from Harmanpreet Singh.
    • Second Half: India scored the decisive goal through Harmanpreet Singh’s penalty corner drag-flick. Spain’s attempt to equalize in the final minutes was thwarted by India’s solid defense and Sreejesh’s goalkeeping.
• Tactical Aspects:
  • Defensive Strategy: India’s defense, led by Sreejesh and Amit Rohidas, was instrumental in blocking Spain’s penalty corners and keeping their lead.
  • Offensive Plays: India created and capitalized on their own penalty corners to secure the win.
• Legacy and Impact:
  • Contribution to Indian Hockey: The back-to-back medals highlight India’s resurgence in international hockey and set a new benchmark for future teams.
  • Impact on Players: P.R. Sreejesh’s retirement marked the end of an era for Indian hockey, emphasizing the significance of experienced players in crucial matches.

MCQs related to India’s performance in hockey at the Paris Olympics 

1. Which team did India defeat to win the bronze medal in the Paris Olympics?

A) Australia

B) Spain

C) Netherlands

D) Germany

Answer: B) Spain

Explanation: India won the bronze medal match against Spain with a score of 2-1.

2. How long was the gap between India’s consecutive Olympic bronze medals before the Paris Olympics?

A) 20 years

B) 30 years

C) 40 years

D) 50 years

Answer: C) 40 years

Explanation: India last won back-to-back Olympic medals in hockey in Munich in 1972, making the gap 40 years.

3. Who was the Indian hockey team’s coach during the Paris Olympics?

A) Graham Reid

B) Craig Fulton

C) Roelant Oltmans

D) Terry Walsh

Answer: B) Craig Fulton

Explanation: Craig Fulton was the coach who led the Indian team to success during the Paris Olympics.

4. Which player scored the winning goal for India in the bronze medal match?

A) Mandeep Singh

B) Harmanpreet Singh

C) P.R. Sreejesh

D) Rupinder Pal Singh

Answer: B) Harmanpreet Singh

Explanation: Harmanpreet Singh scored the decisive goal for India with a penalty corner conversion.

5. What was the result of Spain’s penalty stroke in the first half of the bronze medal match?

A) Spain missed the stroke

B) India saved the stroke

C) Spain scored from the stroke

D) The stroke was awarded but not taken

Answer: C) Spain scored from the stroke

Explanation: Marc Miralles successfully converted the penalty stroke for Spain, giving them a 1-0 lead.

6. How many penalty corners did Spain earn during the match against India?

A) 2

B) 3

C) 4

D) 5

Answer: B) 3

Explanation: Spain earned three penalty corners, but India’s defense effectively thwarted them.

7. Which Indian player made a significant defensive play to help secure the bronze medal?

A) Amit Rohidas

B) Harmanpreet Singh

C) Manpreet Singh

D) Varun Kumar

Answer: A) Amit Rohidas

Explanation: Amit Rohidas made crucial defensive plays, including rushing to block Spain’s penalty corners.

8. What was notable about P.R. Sreejesh’s career in the context of the Paris Olympics?

A) He was the youngest player in the team

B) He scored the winning goal

C) The Paris Olympics marked the end of his international career

D) He was the captain of the team

Answer: C) The Paris Olympics marked the end of his international career

Explanation: P.R. Sreejesh retired after the Paris Olympics, ending a distinguished two-decade-long international career.

9. In which stadium did India play the bronze medal match at the Paris Olympics?

A) Stade Pierre-Mauroy

B) Yves du Manoir Stadium

C) Parc des Princes

D) Stade de France

Answer: B) Yves du Manoir Stadium

Explanation: The bronze medal match was played at the historic Yves du Manoir Stadium.

10. Which Indian player’s performance in penalty corners was crucial to India’s victory?

A) Rupinder Pal Singh

B) Harmanpreet Singh

C) Dilpreet Singh

D) Rajkumar Pal

Answer: B) Harmanpreet Singh

Explanation: Harmanpreet Singh’s successful penalty corner conversion was vital for India’s win in the bronze medal match.