India Makes Pitch for 2036 Olympics, IOC Says: Fix Internal Issues First

 India Makes Pitch for 2036 Olympics, IOC Says: Fix Internal Issues First

India has officially stepped forward with its ambition to host the 2036 Olympic Games, presenting Ahmedabad as the proposed host city during a key meeting with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Tuesday. But the response from the IOC was clear and direct — before putting together a master plan, India must address several deep-rooted challenges.

This meeting marked the first formal interaction between India and the IOC regarding a potential Olympic bid. The Indian delegation, led by Gujarat’s Home and Sports Minister Harsh Sanghavi and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha, included top government officials, IOA representatives, corporate executives, and consultants.

While the team outlined India’s vision and enthusiasm for hosting the Games, the IOC didn’t mince words. They expressed serious concerns about governance issues within the IOA, the country’s ongoing battle with doping in sports, and India’s underwhelming Olympic track record. India finished 71st in the medal tally at the last Games in Paris, with just six medals — a performance that continues to weigh heavily on its Olympic ambitions.

According to those familiar with the closed-door discussions, the message from the IOC was unambiguous: India is welcome to work on its bid, but significant progress must be made internally before any serious discussions can move forward. “Get your house in order first” was the key takeaway from the meeting.

One major stumbling block is the current administrative crisis within the IOA. Since late 2024, the IOC has frozen athlete welfare grants to the IOA due to a stalemate in leadership and ongoing disputes. These issues have stemmed from a power struggle between PT Usha and other members of the Executive Council, involving controversies over sponsorships, financial matters, and the appointment of Raghuram Iyer as CEO. These disagreements have been ongoing for nearly two years and have hampered India's preparations for international competitions.

Adding to the concerns is India’s troubling record on doping. The World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) latest report ranked India with the highest positivity rate for banned substances among leading sporting nations. Alarmingly, India also ranked second behind Russia for the number of positive doping cases among minors. In athletics alone, the Athletics Integrity Unit has placed India just behind Kenya for the most doping violations as of May 2025.

While India has received more time to prepare due to the IOC temporarily pausing the host city selection process — a move made under the new IOC President Kirsty Coventry — that window comes with an expectation: India must act swiftly and decisively to clean up its sports governance and anti-doping systems.

A senior official from the Union Sports Ministry acknowledged the challenges but expressed optimism, stating that efforts are already underway to address the doping issue and resolve the leadership tussle within the IOA. “We know these are critical problems, and we’re working hard to fix them. Our dream of hosting the 2036 Olympics depends on it,” the official said.

For now, India’s Olympic ambitions remain on the table — but whether they become a reality depends entirely on how quickly the nation can set its sporting house in order.

 

India Makes It Official: Ahmedabad Tabled as Host City for 2036 Olympics During IOC Meeting

 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.