India's 2036 Olympic bid: IOA unveils 'Rising Together' vision for Ahmedabad Games
Synopsis
India's 2036 Olympic bid has officially entered the IOC's host selection process, with Ahmedabad as the centrepiece and 'Rising Together' as the defining theme. The IOA and the Union government are framing the Games not just as a sporting milestone but as a lever for national transformation — and the first real test comes when India faces the IOC's Future Host Commission at the end of October.
Key Takeaways
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has welcomed the IOC's announcement of countries in the future host selection process for the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games .
India's bid is centred on Ahmedabad, Gujarat , developed under the theme 'Rising Together' .
Usha confirmed India will present its ambition to the IOC Future Host Commission for the first time at the end of October 2026 .
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya linked the bid to using sport as a vehicle for social development, education, and youth employment.
India argues the Games would open the Olympic Movement to more than a billion people and one of the world's most digitally connected youth populations.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has moved a step closer to securing the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games for India, welcoming the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) announcement of cities and countries entering the future host selection process. Centred on Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India's bid is being developed in active consultation with the IOC under the theme 'Rising Together'.
The Vision Behind 'Rising Together'
The IOA has framed the bid not merely as a bid to stage a major sporting event, but as a blueprint for a broader transformation of sport across India. According to the association, hosting the Games would encourage greater participation in sport — particularly among the country's youth — while contributing to healthier, more active communities and expanding sport's role in education and employment.
India is also positioning the bid as a strategic opportunity for the Olympic Movement itself. With one of the world's youngest and most digitally connected populations, India argues the Games could bring new athletes, audiences, and commercial partners into the Olympic family — opening the event to more than a billion people.
What IOA President P. T. Usha Said
IOA President P. T. Usha described the IOC's recognition of India's aspirations as an honour and stressed that the 'Rising Together' theme carries genuine intent. She said: 'We are deeply honoured by the IOC's recognition of India's vision and aspirations for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036, and proud to be part of an exceptional group of potential hosts for future editions of the Games. For us, Rising Together is not simply a slogan — it is a powerful commitment to unite India's energy, ambition and diversity behind a shared Olympic dream.'
Usha added that the association envisions Games that reflect the confidence of a young, dynamic, and rising India, while contributing to the Olympic and Paralympic Movements' ambition to reach new generations and new communities. She confirmed that India would present its vision to the IOC's Future Host Commission for the first time at the end of October.
Government's Backing: Sport as Social Catalyst
Union Minister of Labour and Employment, and Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya articulated the government's position, linking the 2036 bid directly to national development goals. He said the ambition is rooted in a belief that 'sport can help shape the future of our nation', adding that hosting the Games would inspire millions of young Indians, strengthen communities, and create opportunities across education, employment, and social development.
Mandaviya described the potential Games as a mechanism to 'accelerate a sporting transformation that reaches every part of our society' — and to open a new chapter for the Olympic Movement in one of the world's most dynamic nations.
What Happens Next
The most consequential near-term milestone arrives this month, when India is expected to present its formal ambition to the IOC Future Host Commission for the first time at the end of October 2026. That presentation will mark the first structured assessment of India's proposal within the IOC's official host selection framework. How the commission receives the bid will shape the trajectory of India's candidacy over the months ahead.
Point of View
A young demographic, and genuine government backing are exactly what the IOC seeks as it courts new frontiers. But the gap between vision and execution is where Indian mega-event bids have historically faltered: infrastructure timelines, land acquisition, and multi-agency coordination remain formidable challenges. The 'Rising Together' framing cleverly positions the bid as a development story rather than just a sports story, which should resonate with the IOC's own legacy and sustainability mandates. The real signal to watch is not the October presentation, but whether the government commits hard capital and a dedicated delivery body — the kind of institutional backbone that separated successful Olympic hosts from ambitious also-rans.
NationPress
7 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will India host the 2036 Olympics if the bid succeeds?
India's bid is centred on Ahmedabad in Gujarat , developed in consultation with the International Olympic Committee. The broader vision under the 'Rising Together' theme also envisages cities across India playing a role in the Games.
What is the 'Rising Together' theme in India's Olympic bid?
'Rising Together' is the guiding theme of India's 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games bid, articulated by the Indian Olympic Association. It represents a commitment to unite India's athletes, people, and cities behind the bid while contributing to the Olympic Movement's goal of reaching new global audiences.
When will India present its 2036 Olympic bid to the IOC?
India is expected to present its ambition to the IOC's Future Host Commission for the first time at the end of October 2026 . This is the first formal step in the structured host selection assessment process.
Who is leading India's 2036 Olympic bid?
The bid is being led by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) , with IOA President P. T. Usha as its public face. The Union government, represented by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya , has also formally backed the candidacy.
Why does India want to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games?
India is positioning the Games as a catalyst for wider sporting, social, and economic transformation — inspiring youth participation, creating employment, and opening the Olympic Movement to more than a billion people, including one of the world's largest digitally connected youth populations.
