Paris: In a thrilling finale that rekindled national pride, the Indian Men’s Hockey team secured the Bronze Medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, defeating Spain 2-1 in a gripping encounter at Stade Yves-du-Manoir.
Indian skipper Harmanpreet Singh played a pivotal role, scoring the decisive goal that turned the match in India’s favor. The victory not only brought joy to the 1.4 billion people back home but also marked a historic achievement as India won back-to-back Olympic bronze medals in men’s hockey.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the team’s remarkable performance, posting on X, “A feat that will be cherished for generations to come! The Indian Hockey team shines bright at the Olympics, bringing home the Bronze Medal! This is even more special because it is their second consecutive medal at the Olympics. Their success is a triumph of skill, perseverance, and team spirit. Congratulations to the players. Every Indian has an emotional connect with Hockey and this accomplishment will make the sport even more popular among the youth of our nation.”
This victory follows India’s previous bronze medal win at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, marking the first time in 52 years that the country has achieved consecutive Olympic medals in hockey. The last occurrence of back-to-back medals was in 1968 and 1972.
The match was a dramatic affair. Spain initially took the lead when Marc Miralles converted a penalty stroke in the second quarter. However, Harmanpreet Singh’s successful penalty corner conversion restored parity, and his second goal ultimately secured the bronze.
Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who played his final international match, received a heartfelt farewell from his team following the victory.
After a disappointing semifinal loss to Germany, the Indian team demonstrated resilience and skill to triumph in the bronze medal match.
Olympic Gold Medallist Abhinav Bindra congratulated the team, stating, “The Indian Men’s Hockey Team, with courage etched in every stride, you’ve brought home a bronze medal that shines with the brilliance of gold. To each of you, who donned the tricolor with pride—thank you for giving us a moment that will echo in our hearts for generations. Congratulations @ThehockeyIndia.”
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also praised the team’s achievement, saying, “The Indian Hockey Team has once again made us proud by clinching the Bronze Medal at #ParisOlympics2024! Their exceptional performance and hard work have brought great honor to our nation. Congratulations on this success and for inspiring future generations of athletes.”
