July 10, 2024 12:48 PM

Olympics-India defend for the win to fulfil hockey gold dream

India broke a 41-year medal drought in Olympic men's hockey with a bronze in Tokyo three years ago, triggering hopes that a ninth gold medal for the once dominant power in the sport might be on the cards in Paris. The majority of India's titles were won in a different era, when the game was played on grass pitches, often after soccer matches, and neighbours Pakistan were also a medal-winning force. The age of the fast, flat astroturf has been dominated by three-times champions Germany with the...