India’s ambition to host the 2036 Olympics has taken another major step forward, with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Tuesday confirming the country among seven bidders in the race to stage the Summer Games. Qatar, South Korea, Germany, Hungary, Turkey and South Africa are the other countries currently in discussions with the IOC, setting up what could become one of the most competitive Olympic hosting contests in years.The IOC is aiming to select the 2036 host in 2029 through a vote of its 100-plus members. The timeline represents a return to a more traditional contested process after the fast-track and largely closed-door approach used to award the 2032 Games to Brisbane. The IOC has also kept the possibility of discussions extending towards the 2040 and 2044 editions.
Ahmedabad at centre of India’s Olympic ambition
India’s proposal is centred on Ahmedabad, which is scheduled to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and boasts the Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest cricket stadium. India has been openly pursuing the Olympics for several years, with the country’s sporting administration presenting its ambitions during the Paris 2024 Games.Qatar, another prominent contender, has built substantial experience in hosting major international sporting events, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup and world championships across several Olympic sports. Its proposal is centred on Doha, although the possibility of involving other Gulf neighbours could emerge as the bid develops.A major issue for a Qatar Olympics would be the traditional July-August window. The Summer Games have been held during those months at every edition from Athens 2004 through Brisbane 2032, but Qatar’s extreme summer temperatures could require a change to the established calendar.
Seven bids, with more time for competition
South Korea’s proposal would be anchored by Seoul, which hosted the 1988 Olympics, while events could be spread across the country. Germany’s bid is centred on Munich, which previously hosted the Summer Games in 1972. South Africa is proposing a national bid centred on Cape Town and is seeking to deliver the first African-hosted Summer Olympics of the modern era.Hungary and Turkey have put forward Budapest and Istanbul respectively as their proposed host cities. The IOC has set October 31 as the deadline for other national Olympic committees to express an interest in entering the 2036 race. It has also published a 30-page document outlining the framework and requirements for prospective bidders.The next major milestone will come in March, when the IOC executive board, chaired by president Kirsty Coventry, is expected to approve a shortlist of candidates that will proceed to develop detailed hosting projects.
IOC promises wider choice before 2029 vote
Coventry, a two-time Olympic swimming champion, has changed the approach to selecting future hosts since taking over as IOC president in June 2025. Her first major decision was to pause the previous fast-track process, giving IOC members a greater say in choosing the host.IOC members had expressed a desire for a genuine choice between multiple candidates rather than simply endorsing a preferred option put forward by the executive board. The eventual vote is now targeted for 2029, giving the shortlisted bidders roughly two and a half years to develop and promote their proposals.“Wherever the Games take place, one thing must never change: Athletes have to be at the heart of everything we do,” Coventry said.The IOC’s membership includes sports administrators, current and former athletes, members of royal families, politicians, business leaders and personalities such as Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh. Among those eligible to participate in the eventual vote are India’s Nita Ambani and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, adding another layer of interest to a contest that could ultimately stretch beyond the 2036 Games.
Leave a Reply