Making a formal declaration of India’s interest in hosting the Olympics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here Saturday that the country will “leave no stone unturned in our efforts” to host the Summer Games in 2036.
Hosting the Olympics, Modi said, is the “age-old dream and aspiration of 140 crore Indians.” He was addressing a gathering of more than 100 of the who’s who of world sport – with International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach seated on the dais – in Mumbai during the opening ceremony of the governing body’s annual summit, called the IOC Session.
“India is eager to host the Olympics in the country. India will leave no stone unturned in the preparation for the successful organisation of the Olympics in 2036, this is the dream of 140 crore Indians. This dream has to be fulfilled with your cooperation and support,” the Prime Minister told the IOC delegates. “I am very confident that India will get consistent support from the IOC.”
He added that the country is “eager” to host the Youth Olympic Games in 2029 as a precursor to the mega event. For the record, after Dakar, Senegal hosts the Youth Games in 2026, the next edition will be held in 2030 as per IOC’s four-year programme.
2036 is the earliest available slot to host the Summer Olympic Games as the next edition will be held in Paris in 2024 followed by Los Angeles in 2028 and Brisbane in 2032.
In his speech, Modi did not reveal the name of the candidate city but it is believed that Ahmedabad is a front-runner. The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave – which also houses Modi’s eponymous stadium – is projected as one of the main venue clusters.
In December last year, Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to assess the state’s preparedness to host the Olympics. The state government has reportedly engaged an Australian consultancy firm to prepare its bid.
Earlier this week, Bach had said the IOC “noted there’s a great interest and there are apparently serious considerations here within India” to bid for the Games.
“We have to wait now how this will turn into a project and will be brought forward to us. Only then we can form an opinion,” he had said.
As per the selection policy, the IOC first gets into an informal dialogue with interested host countries. If the world body is satisfied with the planning and capability of the candidate, then it enters a “targeted dialogue” when the IOC’s Executive Board invites the “preferred host” to refine and present their proposal.
There is no fixed timeframe for electing the hosts.
Modi said organising G-20 events in “more than 60 cities” was “evidence” of India’s organising capacity.
“Organising global events in the country gives us a chance to welcome countries. Due to our fast-growing economy and well-developed infrastructure, India is prepared to host mega global events,” Modi said. “The world has witnessed this during our G-20 presidency. We have organised events in more than 60 cities. This is evidence of our logistics and our organising capacity at all levels.”
Modi’s announcement comes days after India’s athletes returned from their best-ever haul at the Asian Games, with the contingent winning more than 100 medals for the first time at the event.
ExplainedWhat IOC looks at
The IOC looks at multiple factors: candidate city’s funding strategy, the ability to deliver the Games, transport infrastructure, accommodation capacity, alignment of venues with local development plans, socio-economic and geo-political factors, and public support.
The PM added that “performances indicate the transformation and speedy development in the sports landscape of India.”
“Sports is not the medium of winning medals but it is a medium to win people’s hearts. Sports belong to everyone, it is for everyone. Sports not only create champions, it also promotes peace, progress, and wellness. Therefore, sports is a very strong and empowered medium of connecting the world,” Modi said.
Earlier, Bach welcomed the PM speaking in Hindi, “aapka bahut bahut swagat,” and underlined India’s “rise.”
Calling India an “inspiring place,” he said: “We are so pleased to be in India — a country that is on the rise in so many respects, including Olympic sports. India is a truly inspiring place to hold our IOC Session. A country which combines its splendid history and dynamic presence with a vigorous confidence in the future…India is an inspiring place. The entire Olympic community in India can be proud of the Asian Games performance.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses at the Opening Ceremony of the 141st IOC Session, in Mumbai, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (PTI Photo) 
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