Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, 15 October 2026, voiced strong confidence in India's readiness to host marquee international sporting events, reaffirming the country's aspiration to stage the 2036 Olympic Games. Addressing members of India's contingent from the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi, Modi outlined a roadmap that includes hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2030 before targeting the Olympics six years later.

India's Hosting Roadmap

Modi laid out a clear sequence for India's global sporting ambitions. 'The next Olympic Games will be held in Los Angeles in 2028. India will host the Commonwealth Games in 2030. India also hopes to host the Olympics in 2036,' he said. India is currently among seven interested parties in dialogue with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over the 2036 Games. The other contenders are Germany, Hungary, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, South Africa, and Türkiye. India formally submitted a Letter of Intent to the IOC's Future Host Commission on 1 October 2024, making its candidacy official.

Grassroots Talent Hunt and Khelo India Push

Modi emphasised that hosting alone was not the end goal — building a pipeline of medal-winning athletes was equally central to the vision. He recalled having called for a nationwide talent search from the ramparts of the Red Fort, focused on identifying promising youngsters in villages. 'Today, talent is being searched for by going to villages. These players will bring medals for India in the coming years,' he said. He noted that more than 1,000 Khelo India centres had been established across the country, supplemented by upgraded sports infrastructure — including athletic tracks, football and hockey grounds, swimming pools, and multipurpose halls — in cities of varying sizes.

Decade of Sports Investment

The Prime Minister pointed to a decade of sustained government effort, highlighting flagship programmes such as the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and Khelo India, which together support elite athletes and widen participation at the grassroots. He cited financial assistance covering out-of-pocket allowances, monthly support under TOPS, and facilitation of overseas training where required. 'In the past 10-12 years, the country has made continuous efforts with dedication and determination. Worked with a visionary vision. Created a transnational and modern sports ecosystem,' he said.

Asian Games Context and Athletes' Morale

The interaction was held in the backdrop of India's fourth-place finish at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, where the country won 85 medals — comprising 21 gold, 27 silver, and 37 bronze. The event brought together athletes, coaches, support staff, and officials from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), national sports federations, and the Sports Ministry. Modi used the occasion to stress that India's youth had both the ability and the national backing to pursue bigger targets. 'There is no goal that is beyond the capability of our youth. There is a boundless sky of possibilities,' he said.

What Comes Next

India's 2036 Olympic bid remains in the IOC's 'Dialogue Stage', competing against six other nations. The IOC's Future Host Commission is expected to narrow the field before a formal host announcement. Domestically, the 2030 Commonwealth Games will serve as a critical dress rehearsal — testing India's organisational capacity on a large-scale multi-sport platform before the higher-stakes Olympic candidacy comes to a head. How India performs on that front could significantly influence the IOC's final decision.