HistoryData
sports2012

India at the 2012 Summer Olympics — participation of India in the 2012 Summer Olympics

January 1, 2012

India achieved its most successful Olympics to date, winning 6 medals in London 2012, doubling its previous record of 3 medals.

Quick Facts

Year
2012
Category
sports

Key Facts

Total medals won
6 (2 silver, 4 bronze)
Athletes competing
83 (60 men, 23 women)
Sports represented
13
Previous medal record
3 medals (Beijing 2008)
Flag bearer
Sushil Kumar (wrestler, silver medalist)
First-time female medals
2 women medalists in one Games for first time

By the Numbers

6
Total medals won
83
Athletes competing
13
Sports represented
3
Previous medal record

Location

Map of London, United KingdomMap of London, United KingdomLondon, United Kingdom

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

India entered the 2012 London Olympics buoyed by its record-breaking performance at Beijing 2008, where it won 3 medals, including Abhinav Bindra's historic gold in rifle shooting. India also returned to Olympic weightlifting after serving a two-year IWF suspension stemming from a doping scandal at the Beijing Games.

Event

India sent 83 athletes to compete across 13 sports at the London Olympics from 27 July to 12 August 2012. Notable performances included Sushil Kumar winning silver in freestyle wrestling, Saina Nehwal claiming a bronze in badminton women's singles, and boxer Mary Kom earning a bronze in the inaugural women's flyweight event.

Consequence

India finished with 6 medals, doubling its previous best of 3, marking its most successful Olympic campaign to that point. For the first time, two Indian women won medals at a single Olympics, and Saina Nehwal became the first Indian to win an Olympic bronze in badminton women's singles, raising the profile of women's sport in the country.

Result

India
6 medals (2 silver, 4 bronze)

at London 2012 Summer Olympics

India's highest-ever Olympic medal tally at the time; first time two Indian women medaled at a single Games

Timeline Context

Timeline around 201220122009201020112013201420152012 Summer Olympics — Games of the XXX Olympiad, in London, United KingdomUEFA Euro 2012 — 14th European association football championship2012 Summer Paralympics — 2012 edition of the Summer ParalympicsJanuary 2012 — month of 20122012 Formula One World Championship — 63rd season of Formula One motor racingAthletics at the 2012 Summer Olympics — athletics events at the OlympicsFootball at the 2012 Summer Olympics — 2012 edition of the association football torunaments during the Olympic Summer Games2012 Africa Cup of Nations — football tournamentindia-at-the-2012-summer-olympics-participation-of-india-i-2012