2 Time Olympic Medallist and Hockey Legend Keshav Datt passes away at 95

2 time Olympic gold medallist, Keshav Datt sadly passed away on Wednesday at the age of 95 due to age related ailments, as his health deteriorated over the past few weeks. He passed away at his house in Kolkata at around 12:30 a.m, marking the end of an era of a gem in the field of hockey.

Dutt was 95, and was survived by his two sons and daughter. India lost a great player and condolences poured in from all over the hockey fraternity.

Keshav Datt won 2 Olympic Gold Medals for India

Keshav Datt was a half back on India’s hockey team, and was a part of the 1948 Olympics, where India won a formidable victory over Great Britain 4-0 at the latter’s home Olympics. He was mentored by the great Dhyan Chand, and prior to the Olympics he toured East Africa for hockey.

Datt was also a part of the 1952 Olympics team, which won a gold medal beating Netherlands 6-1 becoming Olympic champions for the fifth consecutive time.

“We are all very saddened to hear about the legendary halfback Keshav Datt’s demise early this morning. He was the lone surviving member of the 1948 and 1952 Olympic Games, and today truly feels like the end of an era,” said Gyanendro Ningombam, the President of Hockey India.

He was also remembered by Mamata Banerjee, who said in a tweet:

Keshav Datt was truly an icon of hockey in India, and will be remembered for years to come.

Also read: International Olympic Day: 5 Olympians who Made India Proud