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Manu Bhaker's recent Olympic success has reignited the debate surrounding Norman Pritchard, the first Indian athlete to win an Olympic medal. While Bhaker has become the second Indian to achieve this feat in a single edition, Pritchard's nationality remains a subject of controversy.Born in Kolkata in 1875, Pritchard dominated the Bengal sprinting scene for seven years, setting records and winning multiple titles. He represented India at the 1900 Paris Olympics, becoming the first Indian to compete and win an Olympic medal. However, his British heritage has led some historians to question his Indian nationality.British historians argue that Pritchard's birth into a colonial family and his participation in the 1900 AAA Championships as a member of the London AC indicate his British identity. The New York Times also referred to him as an "Englishman."On the other hand, Indian historians point to Pritchard's birth in India, his representation of India at the Olympics, and his contributions to Indian sports administration as evidence of his Indian nationality. The Field magazine referred to him as an "Indian champion," and the IOC credits India with his nationality.The controversy stems from the fact that India and Great Britain did not have registered National Olympic Committees at the time of the 1900 Olympics. This has made it difficult to definitively determine Pritchard's nationality.Despite the ongoing debate, Pritchard's achievements remain significant. He was a pioneer for Indian sports, breaking barriers and inspiring future generations. His legacy serves as a reminder of the complex and often contested nature of national identity in the world of sports.

India's Olympic medal tally officially stands at 35, but the legitimacy of its first two medals, won by Norman Pritchard in 1900, remains shrouded in doubt.Pritchard, an athlete residing in Kolkata (then Calcutta), claimed silver medals in the 200m and 200m hurdles at the Paris Olympics. However, his dual representation of the London Athletic Club and the Bengal Presidency Athletic Club raised questions about his nationality.The official Olympic program listed Pritchard as representing "England" in the 100m and "British India" in the 100m hurdles. Historian Ian Buchanan suggested that Pritchard participated independently, while The New York Times referred to him as an "Englishman."After his Olympic success, Pritchard served as secretary of the Indian Football Association but later moved permanently to the United States. He pursued an acting career under the name "Norman Trevor."Despite the official recognition of Pritchard's medals as belonging to India, his origins and conflicting reports from the 1900 Olympics cast a shadow over their legitimacy. Some argue that Pritchard's medals should be attributed to England or to an independent entity, given his dual representation and the lack of a clear national affiliation.The mystery surrounding Pritchard's medals highlights the complexities of national identity and representation in the early days of the Olympic Games. It also raises questions about the criteria for determining which country an athlete represents, especially in cases of dual citizenship or multiple club affiliations.