Giving wings to the aspirations of a billion Indians, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India “will leave no stone unturned” to host the Olympics in 2036.
Speaking at the 141st International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Mumbai, where important decisions regarding the future of the world’s most famous gaming event are made, Modi said, “India is eager to host the Olympics in the country. India will leave no stone unturned in the preparation for the successful organisation of the Olympics in 2036, this is the dream of the 140 crore Indians.”
He, however, did not name a host city – but speculation suggests that Ahmedabad could be the one hosting the event.
The country also wants to host the Youth Olympics in 2029, he said.
Modi said, “Sports is not just for winning medals but is a medium to win hearts. Sports belongs to all for all. It not only prepares champions but also promotes peace, progress and wellness. Therefore, sports is another medium of uniting the world.”
India has never hosted the Olympics before, and the most high-profile sporting event that the country hosted was the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in 2010.
Paris will host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games between July and August, followed by Los Angeles in 2028. Brisbane will host the 2032 Games.
Poland has so far expressed interest in joining the bid to host the Olympics in 2036, while Indonesia and Mexico might also join the race to host the 2036 Games.
On Sunday, the IOC session is expected to approve the inclusion of cricket and four other games as part of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Each host city, under IOC rules approved a few years ago, can request the inclusion of several sports for their edition of the Games.
The organisers of the Los Angeles 2028 Games said this week they wanted cricket, flag football, lacrosse, squash and baseball-softball added to the event.
India is currently hosting the ODI Cricket World Cup. Modi’s announcement came after the Indian team convincingly defeated arch-rivals Pakistan in the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
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