• In 1956, Pakistan secured its first silver medal in Melbourne Olympics when it faced World Champions India in the hockey final, but lost to it 0-1 in a memorable and controversial match. Pakistan eventually dislodged the six-time champions India to win the final in 1960, the former’s first-ever gold medal.
• Controversy reigned supreme in the Pakistan-Germany hockey final in the Munich Olympics, 1972, when runners-up Pakistan refused to accept their silver medals while disrespecting the German flag, as a protest against what they believed was unjust umpiring. Pakistan was banned from international hockey until they had apologised.
• Long jumper Shabana Akhtar became the first woman athlete to represent the country at the 1996 Atlanta Games. Shazia Hidayat (1500m) followed at Sydney in 2000. Sumaira Zahoor (1500m) and Rubab Raza (swimming) featured at Athens Games in 2004, Sadaf Siddiqui (100m) and Kiran Khan (swimming) travelled to Beijing in 2008. Rabia Ashiq (800m) and Anum Bandey (swimming) rubbed shoulders in London 2012.
• Brig (Retd.) M .H. Atif is the only person who participated in Pakistan’s three Olympic gold medal winning teams to date: 1960 as a player, 1968 and 1984 as a team manager.
• In Athens Olympics 2004, Sohail Abbas became the top-scorer for Pakistan with his tally of 18 goals, out of which 11 goals were scored during the matches played in the event, which included a hat trick.
• Brothers in Olympic hockey: Abdul Hamid ‘Hamidi’ (1948, 1952, 1956, 1960), Abdul Rashid Jr (1968, 1972, 1976); Munir Dar (1956, 1960, 1964), Tanvir Dar (1968, 1972); Khurshid Aslam (1960), Akhter-ul-Islam (1972); Samiullah (1976), Kalimullah (1984); Manzoor-ul-Hasan (1976), Rashid-ul-Hasan (1984).
• Players with two national colours: Col A. I. S. Dara British India in 1936 and Pakistan in 1948; Akhtar Hussain India in 1948 and Pakistan in 1956; Latif-ur-Rehman India in 1948 and Pakistan in 1952 and 1956.
• Father and son in Olympic hockey: Mahmood-ul-Hasan (1948, 1952), Ayaz Mahmood (1984); Munir Dar (1956, 1960, 1964), Tauqir Dar (1984); Dr. Ghulam Rasool Chaudhry (1956, 1960), Akhtar Rasool (1972, 1976); Khawaja Mohammad Aslam (1952), K. M. Junaid (1992).
