India's bid to host Olympics 2036 to face rival from Spain, Mexico, Indonesia, Turkey, Poland and Qatar

Published at :February 28, 2024 at 7:05 PM

Modified at :February 28, 2024 at 7:05 PM

(Courtesy : The Economic Times)

India has never hosted Summer Olympics.

India’s ambitious bid to host the Summer Olympics 2036 has taken center stage in the international sports arena. However, the path to hosting the prestigious event is not without its challenges, as India faces competition from several countries, including Spain, Indonesia, Turkey, Poland, and Qatar.

Last year, the Government of India articulated its aspiration to host the Olympic Games. This intention was further underscored by the Indian Prime Minister in his address to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

He conveyed the collective enthusiasm of 1.4 billion Indians at the prospect of hosting this prestigious event. In his address, he emphasized India’s robust infrastructure, efficient logistics, and proven organizational capabilities, drawing attention to the successful execution of major events such as the G20 Summit.

Despite India’s fervent aspirations to host the 2036 Summer Olympics, the path to realizing this dream has been fraught with challenges. The international landscape of the Olympic bidding process has become increasingly competitive, with countries such as Spain, Qatar, and Indonesia also expressing strong interest in hosting the prestigious event.

Mexico, which had initially expressed its intention to host the event in October 2022, has officially withdrawn its bid. The decision, announced by Maria Jose Alcala, the president of the National Olympic Committee (COM), cited intense competition as the primary reason for the withdrawal.

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Spain, which had been eyeing the 2040 Olympics, has now shifted its focus to the 2036 Games. Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the president of the Community of Madrid, raised the possibility of the region hosting the 2036 Olympic Games after securing a Formula 1 Grand Prix. This would be more than four decades after the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, marking a significant milestone for the country.

Indonesia remains steadfast in its commitment to host the 2036 Olympics. The country’s new capital city, Nusantara, will be the focus of the country’s bid, showcasing its infrastructural capabilities and readiness to host such a large-scale event.

Turkey and Poland have also shown interest in hosting the 2036 Olympics. Warsaw, the capital of Poland, is being touted as the center of its Olympic ambitions, highlighting the country’s strategic planning and preparedness.

Qatar, buoyed by the success of the World Cup, is considering a bid for the 2036 games. The country believes the World Cup’s success can act as a springboard to hosting the Olympics, demonstrating its ability to manage and execute world-class sporting events.

India’s Sports Minister Anurag Thakur was upbeat for India’s chances to host the 2036 Olympics, has highlighted India’s notable successes in major international competitions such as the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. These achievements, he believes, are indicators of India’s potential to become a top 10 sporting nation by 2036 and possibly a top 5 nation by 2047.

Thakur insists that it makes more sense for the IOC to award the 2036 Olympics to India, given the country’s passion for sports and the large population that tuned in to watch the Olympic sports last time. Prime Minister Modi has also made it clear that India is serious about hosting the Summer Olympics in 2036, and even the Youth Olympics in 2030.

The country’s sports budget has tripled in the last 10 years, with significant investment in sports infrastructure. The completion of 23 National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), 69 SAI centres, and 1,075 Khelo India centres is a testament to India’s commitment to nurturing sporting talent and promoting sports at the grassroots level.

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