Qatar has officially started discussions with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) about the possibility of hosting the 2036 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. This is the country’s first official step in the bidding process.
Qatar is now one of several countries interested in hosting the event, alongside Indonesia, Turkey, India, Chile, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Egypt, Hungary, Italy, Germany, Denmark, and Canada.
The Gulf state has already hosted major sporting events like the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2024 Asian Cup. Officials say that 95% of the sports venues needed for the Games are already ready, and they have a full plan to complete the rest on time.
Qatar hopes its bid will promote a long-lasting legacy, focusing on social, economic, and environmental benefits.
If chosen, Qatar would be the first country in the Middle East and North Africa to host the Olympics, a big step forward for the region’s role in global sport. However, some concerns have been raised, especially about the extreme summer heat. On the day Qatar announced its bid, temperatures in Doha reached 44°C (111°F).
