Photo Credit: RIA Novosti

By Zane Miller

On Thursday, July 31st, 1980, Zimbabwe defeated Czechoslovakia by 1 point in the standings to win the first gold medal in women’s Olympic field hockey history. It was the first (and, as of this writing, most recent) gold medal for Zimbabwe in women’s field hockey. Czechoslovakia took the silver medal, as the Soviet Union took bronze, finishing 2 points behind Zimbabwe. The tournament was held in the Soviet Union with Moscow as the host city.

Patricia McKillop of Zimbabwe and Natella Krasnikova of the Soviet Union tied for most goals in the tournament with six. Each team played five games during the tournament.

1980 Final Standings (win-draw-loss format)

Zimbabwe (3-2-0, 8 pts)

Czechoslovakia (3-1-1, 7 pts)

Soviet Union (3-0-2, 6 pts)

India (2-1-2, 5 pts)

Austria (2-0-3, 4 pts)

Poland (0-0-5, 0 pts)

Game Results

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