India Makes It Official: Ahmedabad Tabled as Host City for 2036 Olympics During IOC Meeting
In a
major step toward realizing India’s Olympic dream, a top-level Indian
delegation officially put Ahmedabad forward as the country’s choice to
host the 2036 Summer Olympic Games. The announcement was made during a
crucial meeting with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne,
Switzerland on Tuesday.
This
is the first official confirmation that India is aiming to bring the
world’s biggest sporting event to Ahmedabad — a move that has been anticipated
but never formally declared until now.
Historic
Bid Backed by Heavyweights
The
delegation included key representatives from the Union Sports Ministry,
the Gujarat government, and Indian Olympic Association (IOA)
President PT Usha. The group met with senior IOC officials to present their
vision for hosting the Olympics, even as the selection process itself is under
review.
“This
meeting was a significant milestone,” read a statement from the Indian team.
“It allowed India to clearly express its ambition to host a future Olympic
Games in Ahmedabad, while also understanding the IOC’s evolving expectations
for future hosts.”
The
announcement comes just days after newly appointed IOC President Kirsty
Coventry revealed that the process for choosing Olympic hosts has been
temporarily paused to allow for greater involvement from IOC members. Despite
this, India seized the opportunity to make its intentions known.
Why
Ahmedabad? A Generational Opportunity
While
it’s been an open secret that Ahmedabad was the government’s preferred city,
this meeting marked the first formal submission to the IOC. The
delegation emphasized that hosting the Games would be a game-changer for Indian
sport — particularly for its massive youth population.
An
Olympics on home soil, they said, would give over 600 million young Indians
their first live experience of the Games and act as a “generational
springboard” for innovation, education, development, and national pride.
The
bid also leans into India’s cultural identity, citing the ancient philosophy of
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — "the world is one family" — as a
guiding principle for welcoming athletes and fans from across the globe.
Gujarat
Ready for the Global Stage
Gujarat
Sports Minister Harsh Sanghavi expressed strong confidence in the
state’s ability to deliver. “Hosting the Olympics will be a landmark event for
Gujarat. We’re ready to be a trusted partner to the IOC through this process
and beyond,” he said.
IOA
chief PT Usha called the potential Games “a moment of lasting impact”
for the country. “This isn’t just about hosting an event — it’s about
transforming sport and inspiring an entire generation of Indians,” she said.
The
Race for 2036 Heats Up
India’s
announcement adds momentum to an already competitive race for the 2036
Olympics, with Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Turkey, and Chile
reportedly among the other contenders. The next confirmed Summer Games will be
held in Brisbane in 2032, making 2036 the next available edition.
However,
there’s a twist. The IOC’s host selection process is currently under review,
with members voicing concerns over a lack of transparency and involvement.
President Coventry confirmed a working group will be formed to reevaluate the
rules and timeline for awarding future Games.
“IOC
members want a stronger role in the process, and there’s active discussion on
when the next host will be named,” Coventry said after chairing her first
Executive Board meeting.
India’s
Olympic Dream Begins Now
Despite
the procedural pause, India’s move marks a bold step forward — planting its
flag early in the race to host the 2036 Olympics. If successful, it would be
the first time in history that the Olympic Games are held on Indian
soil, opening a thrilling new chapter for Indian sport and its place on the
world stage.
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