In the world, we are second largest country in terms of population, but we win only very few medals in the Olympics. Why?

India is indeed the second most populous country in the world, with an estimated population of over 1.45 billion people as of 2025135. However, despite its large population, India has historically won relatively few Olympic medals, with a total of just 35 medals, including 10 gold medals2. Several factors contribute to this disparity:

Factors Influencing Olympic Performance

1. Economic and Financial Support: National wealth plays a significant role in supporting sports infrastructure, training programs, and athlete development. Countries with higher per capita GDP tend to invest more in sports, which can lead to better performance in international competitions4.

2. Population Utilization: While a large population provides a bigger pool of potential athletes, it is crucial how effectively this population is engaged in sports. In many developed countries, a higher percentage of the population participates in organized sports, which increases the likelihood of producing medal-winning athletes4.

3. Education and Awareness: Public awareness and education about sports can significantly influence participation rates. In countries with less emphasis on sports education, fewer people may be involved in competitive sports, reducing the chances of producing Olympic medalists4.

4. Infrastructure and Resources: The availability of sports facilities, equipment, and coaching can greatly impact a country's ability to develop athletes. India faces challenges in providing adequate infrastructure and resources to support a large number of athletes4.

5. Cultural and Societal Factors: Cultural attitudes towards sports and societal priorities can also affect participation and success in sports. In some countries, education and other pursuits may be prioritized over sports4.

Comparison with Other Countries

• Turkey vs. India: In 2004, Turkey, with less than 10% of India's population, won ten times as many Olympic medals as India. This highlights the importance of effective sports development programs and investment in sports infrastructure4.

• Australia and Nigeria: Australia won 2.46 medals per million population in 2004, while India won only 0.0009 medals per million. Nigeria, another populous country, also had a low medal count per million population4.

In summary, while India's large population provides a potential advantage in terms of numbers, factors such as economic support, effective utilization of the population, education, infrastructure, and cultural priorities play critical roles in determining Olympic success.