The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has officially expressed India’s interest in hosting the Olympics and Paralympic Games in 2036 by sending a formal letter to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Future Host Commission.
This desire was first declared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai, India in 2023. He also proposed hosting an edition of the Youth Olympic Games before 2036. India heavily promoted their bid at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and began discussions with the IOC in August.
In September, Modi reiterated his efforts to secure the 2036 Games during a gathering of Indian diaspora in New York. A letter was then reportedly sent to the IOC’s Future Host Commission on 1 October 2024, officially putting India forward as the 2036 host nation. This bid has received support from current IOC chief Thomas Bach, but the final decision will not be made until the IOC elections in March next year.
The evaluation process will consider various factors such as infrastructure, financial stability, and adherence to the IOC’s “The New Norm” reforms. India may face competition from other countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Barcelona, Madrid, Copenhagen, Indonesia, and Turkey, who have also expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Games.
If successful, Ahmedabad is likely to be the primary host city, with its large international cricket stadium, the Narendra Modi Stadium, making it a strong contender. India may also push for the inclusion of several popular sports in their bid, such as yoga, squash, chess, T20 cricket, kho kho, and kabaddi.
However, the IOA is currently facing internal conflicts, causing issues with governance and operations. These conflicts, between IOA President PT Usha and the Executive Committee, have yet to be resolved.
