In a strategic move to fulfill PM Modi’s vision, the Indian Olympic Association expresses interest in Ahmedabad as a potential venue, kicking off a competitive selection process against other nations
NEW DELHI: In a notable advancement towards fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambition of hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has officially submitted a ‘Letter of Intent’ to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Future Host Commission, signaling India’s interest in hosting the prestigious event.
While no official announcement has been made, credible sources indicate that the letter was submitted on October 1, with Ahmedabad emerging as a potential host city. Prime Minister Modi initially revealed the government’s plans to host the 2036 Olympics, along with the Youth Olympics in 2030, during the IOC’s 41st session held in Mumbai last year, highlighting the significance of this initiative for India’s sports landscape.
“We will spare no effort in our preparations to bring the Olympics to India in 2036. This aspiration is a long-held dream of 1.4 billion Indians,” Modi stated. During the recent Independence Day celebrations at his New Delhi residence, the Prime Minister encouraged feedback from Indian athletes who competed in the Paris Olympics, emphasizing that their insights would be invaluable for planning the upcoming Games. “Your experiences matter a lot. We want to document them and share them with the government to ensure we don’t overlook any details for 2036,” he noted.
During his trip to the U.S. last September, Modi reiterated the government’s commitment to hosting the 2036 Olympics, stating, “The Paris Olympics just concluded, and soon, you will see the Olympics happening in India as well. We are making every effort to secure this opportunity.” IOC President Thomas Bach has also expressed support for India’s bid, asserting that there is a “strong case” for the country to host the Games, further bolstering India’s candidacy.
India’s sports leadership, including IOA president PT Usha, attended the Paris Olympics earlier this year to advocate for the country’s selection. The Sports Authority of India’s Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) has delivered a comprehensive report on the strategic measures needed for a successful bid to Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya. The MOC team comprises prominent former athletes, senior officials from sports federations, and representatives from the Sports Ministry and the Sports Authority of India.
Notably, there have been discussions about including traditional sports like Yoga, Kabaddi, and Kho Kho should India secure the bid. Although this marks India’s first formal expression of interest in hosting the Olympics, the country previously hosted the Asian Games in 1951 and 1982 and the Commonwealth Games in 2010.
It is essential to understand that the submission of the letter of intent does not automatically confer hosting rights. A final decision is anticipated only after the IOC elections next year. The selection process involves multiple phases; with the submission of this letter, India has moved from the ‘Informal Dialogue’ to the ‘Continuous Dialogue’ stage. During this phase, the IOC will conduct feasibility studies encompassing various factors, including human rights, sustainability, and Business for Social Responsibility (BSR).
Upon successful completion of these studies, the process will transition to targeted dialogue, where a formal bid specific to the event will need to be presented and evaluated by the Future Host Commission. Ultimately, the process culminates with the voting for the host. India will also face competition from nations like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey, all of whom are positioning themselves as strong candidates to host the global sporting event.
Agencies