Speaking at the opening ceremony of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) session in Mumbai, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed India’s strong interest in hosting the Olympic Games in 2036. He emphasized that this aspiration is deeply rooted in the dreams of India’s 1.4 billion citizens and underscored the country’s commitment to realizing this vision with the collaboration and support of the IOC.
While the Prime Minister did not specify which Indian city might apply for the Games, reports suggest that Ahmedabad, the capital of Gujarat, is a potential contender. This city, located in Modi’s home state, is also home to the Narendra Modi Stadium, currently the world’s largest sporting venue by seating capacity.
India, which has never hosted the Olympics before, aims to bolster its presence in global sporting events. Despite its large population, India has not consistently ranked among the top contenders in Olympic medal races. However, the nation’s interest in the Games has been growing, exemplified by Neeraj Chopra’s gold medal win in javelin at the Tokyo Olympics, which garnered widespread celebration.
The IOC session in Mumbai is significant, as it is where crucial decisions regarding the organization of future games are approved. On October 15, the session is anticipated to greenlight the inclusion of cricket and four other sports in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Under IOC rules established a few years ago, host cities have the option to request the addition of several sports for their edition of the Games.
India’s bid for the 2036 Olympics is propelled by the popularity of cricket in the country, and the recent symbolic victory over Pakistan in the Cricket World Cup likely played a role in mobilizing this endeavor. Alongside the ambition to host the Olympics, Modi also expressed India’s interest in hosting the Youth Olympics in 2029, emphasizing that sports hold the power to not only win medals but also hearts.
Poland has also signaled its interest in hosting the 2036 Olympics, while Indonesia and Mexico are considering joining the race to become host for the Games in that year.
