Field hockey at the Summer Olympics | |
---|---|
![]() | |
IOC Code | HOC |
Governing body | FIH |
Events | 2 (men: 1; women: 1) |
Summer Olympics | |
Field hockey made its debut at the Modern Olympic Games as a men's competition in the 1908 Games in London. It was removed from the Olympic schedule of the Summer Olympic Games for the 1924 Paris Games and was reintroduced in the 1928 Amsterdam Games. The Women's field hockey was introduced into the Olympic programme at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) was founded in 1924 and governs the hockey events. Until the 1988 Olympics, the tournament was invitational but a qualification system was introduced since the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. The last edition at Paris was the 25th occurence of the men's event and 12th consectuive occurence of women's event in the Olympics.
Great Britain won the first two editions of the men's hockey events in 1908 (as England) and 1920. Starting in 1928, India won the gold medal in seven out of eight Olympics till 1964 including six consecutive gold medals from the 1928 Olympics to 1956. Pakistan won three gold and silver medals each in a run lasting from 1956 to 1984. Olympic field hockey games are played on artificial turf since 1976. Since the late 1980s, European countries have dominated the men's events with both Germany and Netherlands winning three gold medals each. In the women's events, Netherlands and Australia have been dominant, having won five and three gold medals respectively since its introduction to the Olympic programme in 1980.
India holds the record for the most appearances in the Olympic men's competitions (22) with Australia and Netherlands holding the record for the most appearances in the Olympic women's competitions (11). India leads the medal tally for the men's events with 13 medals including eight gold medals. Netherlands heads the women's events with 10 medals including five gold medals and also leads the overall medal tally with 20 medals (eight gold, six silver and six bronze).