Zurich: India has officially expressed its intention to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has sent a letter of intent to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Future Host Commission, indicating the nation’s aspiration to organize the event for the first time.
This letter was submitted on October 1st, as reported in India.
The move comes more than a year on from India prime minister Narendra Modi announcing the nation’s intention to bid for the Games.
“India is eager to host the Olympics in the country,” said Modi in October 2023. “India will leave no stone unturned in the preparation for the successful organisation of the Olympics in 2036 – this is the dream of the 140 crore [1.4 billion] Indians.
“We want to realise this dream with your support. We are [also] willing to host the 2029 Youth Olympics. I am sure India will get constant support from IOC.”
Since that time, the Prime Minister of India has reaffirmed his commitment to the nation’s Olympic aspirations, declaring in September that the country is “making every possible effort” to secure the opportunity to host the Games.
Should India successfully secure the bid, Ahmedabad is anticipated to serve as the main host city, with the Narendra Modi Stadium—currently the largest stadium globally, accommodating 132,000 spectators—likely to be utilized as a venue. Delhi remains a potential alternative.
In terms of sports, India is expected to advocate for the inclusion of several disciplines that enjoy significant popularity within the nation, notably cricket, which is set to return to the Olympics for the first time in 128 years at the LA28 Games.
India’s ambition to host the 2036 Olympics is driven by the strategic, economic, and cultural advantages that accompany the world’s largest sporting event. Prime Minister Modi has also addressed concerns regarding the country’s capacity and infrastructure, asserting that India will “be one of the major economic powers” and possess “a very large middle class” by 2036.
Regarding the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which is keen to broaden the Olympic movement into emerging markets, Thomas Bach has already expressed support for India’s proposal. However, a final decision will not be reached until after the organization’s elections in March 2025, where seven candidates are vying to succeed the current German president.
India’s bid will be evaluated based on various criteria, including infrastructure and financial sustainability, to ensure compliance with the IOC’s ‘New Norm’ reforms. The country is also likely to encounter competition from several other nations, including Indonesia, Turkey, and Chile, while Saudi Arabia and Qatar have also expressed interest.
For the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to formulate a successful bid, it must address its internal issues. The organization has faced disputes between IOA President PT Usha and the executive committee, which remain unresolved. This turmoil has led the IOC to suspend all financial support to the IOA last month, which is far from ideal.
