October 30 marks the death anniversary of India's first Olympic medallist, Norman Peterson Pritchard. Born in Calcutta (now Kolkata) on January 23, 1875 to parents George Peterson Pritchard and Helen Maynard Pritchard, Norman was a British citizen who represented India in the 1900 Olympics. At the Paris Games, Pritchard participated in five events and reached the finals in three - 110m hurdles, 200m dash and 200m hurdles. He did not qualify for the 60m and 100m dash, despite winning the first heat of 100m event. (More Sports News)
Pritchard is India's first Olympic medallist where he clinched two medals - silver in 200m hurdles and in 200m dash event.
Here are 5 things you did not know about India's first ever Olympic medalist, Norman Pritchard:
1) An Active Acting Career
Besides being an athlete on the field, did you know Norman Pritchard was also an actor? Sir Charles Wyndham, an English actor and theatre proprietor saw some acting talent in Pritchard and advised him to thrive in the film industry. Soon, the Kolkata-born Pritchard moved to the USA where he made his Broadway debut in 1914. He became the first Olympian to act in silent movies and plays under the screen name, Norman Trevor.
2) Pritchard's Love For Football
Pritchard's love for the game of football was also quite known. He studied at the quite known St. Xavier's College in Calcutta (now Kolkata) and represented their football team. He scored a famous hat-trick in a open football tournament in a game for the college against Sovabazar in 1897. He was also one of the office bearers for the Indian Football Association (IFA). It was founded in 1893 and is known to be one of the oldest Football Associations in India.
3) Participation In 1900 Paris Games On Indian Passport
At the 1900 Paris Games, where Norman Pritchard made history, it is known that he took part in the event while holding an Indian passport and an Indian birth certificate.
4) Debate Around His Citizenship
Norman Pritchard might have been born in India but the country was then ruled by the British Raj. And according to a report in The Telegrah, a British Olympic historian named Ian Buchanan suggested that the medals won by Pritchard should be credited to Great Britain rather than India since he was born in British India. While there is very written records about Pritchard, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has listed him as an Indian.
5) Record Overtaken By Neeraj Chopra
In the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, India's Neeraj Chopra finally ended a long hiatus of a medal in the track and field event when he won a gold in the Men's Javelin throw event. Neeraj Chopra threw his javelin at a distance of 87.58m in his 2nd attempt to earn a gold. The likes of Jeev Milkha Singh and PT Usha did try clinching a medal in the track and field but couldn't come close.
