Can India Host the 2036 Olympic Games? High-Level Talks with IOC

Lausanne (Switzerland), July 1 (NationPress) A prominent Indian delegation successfully wrapped up a significant visit to the Olympic Capital in Lausanne on Tuesday, participating in the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) “Continuous Dialogue” initiative concerning the 2036 Olympic Games.

This vital conversation with the IOC and its Future Host Summer Commissions for the 2036 Summer Olympics is aimed at assessing the potential and viability of India hosting a future edition of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Indian delegation was spearheaded by Harsh Sanghavi, the Minister of Sports from Gujarat, alongside IOA President P.T. Usha. It also featured senior officials from the IOA, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sport, and the Government of Gujarat.

The discussions served as an essential platform for the Indian representatives to present their vision for hosting a future Olympic Games in Ahmedabad. At the same time, they acquired invaluable insights from the IOC regarding the expectations for the Olympic Games and its aspirations for the future of the Olympic Movement, as noted by senior officials from the Gujarat government in a statement on Tuesday.

This exchange will help India refine its ambitions, rooted in the visionary concept of Viksit Bharat 2047, showcasing India’s journey towards progress and prosperity.

According to the statement, Ahmedabad’s vision is built on three foundational pillars.

“Firstly, the Games will act as a catalyst for enhancing Indian sport, granting 600 million young Indians their inaugural chance to experience the Olympics on home turf. Secondly, the Games would serve as a generational springboard for socio-economic advancement, innovation, education, and youth pride, propelling both India and the Olympic Movement forward.

“Finally, the bid embodies the Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family), welcoming everyone as one during the Games,” a release issued on Tuesday stated.

Following the discussions, Harsh Sanghavi remarked: “Gujarat, with its rich heritage and vibrant spirit, is ready to play a significant role in India’s advancement. Our investments in sports and dedication to the Olympic Movement are evident. Hosting the Games would represent a monumental stride for Gujarat, stimulating unprecedented growth and inspiring a new generation. We are enthusiastic about partnering with the IOC in the forthcoming stages of this process and, hopefully, in the years to come, as we collaborate to achieve this mutual goal.”

IOA President P.T. Usha expressed: “India's involvement with the Olympic Movement is at a pivotal juncture, extending beyond competitive sports to embrace the essence of Olympism—promoting peace, education, and cultural exchange through sports. The Olympic Games in India would not only be a remarkable event but would also create a lasting impact for all Indians.”

According to the Future Host Commission's guidelines, the new IOC bidding framework consists of two dialogue phases—Continuous Dialogue, which involves non-binding discussions between the IOC and Interested Parties, followed by Targeted Dialogue, which is a focused discussion with one or more Preferred Hosts as directed by the IOC Executive Board.

Currently, in addition to Ahmedabad, other candidates such as Nusantara (Indonesia), Istanbul (Turkey), and Santiago (Chile) have officially submitted bids for the 2036 Olympic Games. Other nations including Egypt, South Africa, South Korea, Doha (Qatar), Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Budapest (Hungary), Florence–Bologna or Turin (Italy), and Copenhagen (Denmark) have also shown interest in hosting this grand event.