Paris Olympics 2024: When was the last time the Indian women's hockey team failed to secure a place in the Olympic Games?
Following their stellar show at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, the Indian women's hockey team shockingly failed to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. This marks the first time since 2012 that the Indian women's team missed the Olympics.
The Indian women's hockey team failed to book their Paris Olympics 2024 berth after a narrow 0-1 loss to Japan in the bronze medal match of the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers. Kana Urata scored the decisive goal in the sixth minute from a penalty corner, giving Japan a lead that they maintained throughout the game, despite India's relentless attacks and multiple penalty corners
The team faced a similar disappointment back in 2012 when they couldn't secure a spot at the London Games. Struggling with form and consistency, they were unable to compete at the level required to qualify.
The Indian women's hockey team made remarkable history by qualifying for the Rio 2016 Olympics, ending a 36-year absence from the Games. Their return was momentous, though their performance was still developing.
The team finished last in their group, failing to reach the knockout stages. Despite this, their participation was crucial for gaining experience and building a foundation for future success. They lost four out of the five games they played and salvaged a draw to end with a sole point.
Indian women's hockey team's remarkable performance at Tokyo Olympics
The journey of the Indian women's hockey team took a remarkable turn at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. They delivered their best-ever performance by finishing fourth, narrowly missing out on a medal.
Led by captain Rani Rampal, the team showed incredible skill and determination, defeating formidable opponents like Australia in the quarterfinals. Although they lost to Argentina in the semifinals and to Great Britain in the bronze medal match, their performance was historic and celebrated.
They followed up their Tokyo Olympic performance with quite a few achievements. They earned bronze medals at both the 2022 Asia Cup and the Commonwealth Games. They also secured a strong third-place finish in the 2021–22 Pro League. In 2022, the team made history by winning their first FIH Women's Nations Cup.