During the International Olympic Council’s (IOC’s) Congress in Mumbai last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed India’s ambition to host the Games in 2036, stating that the administration would “leave no stone unturned” in getting the Games to the country for the first time.
India has hopes to host the 2036 Olympics, and now the ambition finds place in the BJP’s election manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
In the section titled ‘Modi ki Guarantee for Sports Development’, the party document says: ‘We will facilitate IOA to bid for hosting the Olympic Games in 2036, and develop sports infrastructure like stadiums and state-of-the-art training centres to host major international sporting events.’
During the International Olympic Council’s (IOC’s) Congress in Mumbai last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed India’s ambition to host the Games in 2036, stating that the administration would “leave no stone unturned” in getting the Games to the country for the first time.
During that event, Modi had described hosting the Olympics as the “age-old dream and aspiration of 140 crore Indians,” with IOC president Thomas Bach in attendance.
“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,” Modi had told the IOC delegates. “I am very confident that India will get consistent support from the IOC.”
The Olympics will be held in Paris later this year, with the next two editions scheduled to be held in Los Angeles (2032) and Brisbane (2032).
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.
The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave – which also houses Modi’s eponymous stadium – is projected as one of the main venue clusters. (Express photo by
Nirmal Harindran)
However, expressing interest and even bidding to host the mega event doesn’t necessarily mean India will get staging rights. 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, 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.
The IOC looks at multiple factors: the 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.
Even before the IOC Session in Mumbai, it is learnt that India had already sent a letter to the International Olympic Committee to join continuous dialogue. Indonesia and Turkey are the other major contenders to host the 2036 Games, with no timeline decided yet on the final decision. Mexico, Poland, Spain and Qatar are also said to be in the race.
During the IOC Congress, Modi had also said that India is “eager” to host the Youth Olympic Games in 2029 as a precursor to the Olympics. For the record, after Dakar, Senegal hosts theYouth Games in 2026, the next edition will be held in 2030 as per IOC’s four-year programme.
The BJP election manifesto also mentions an intention to provide a comprehensive plan for retired sportspersons, providing them educational, employment and promotion opportunities.
Source:indianexpress.com