India Olympic Bid Progress: Latest Developments on the 2036 Games
India’s Olympic ambitions have reached a significant milestone. The country has officially nominated Ahmedabad as its candidate city to host the 2036 Summer Olympics, marking its most direct and formal step yet in the international bidding process. Here’s a detailed look at the latest progress, the delegation’s efforts, and what this means for India’s Olympic dream.
Ahmedabad Named as Host City
For the first time, India has formally communicated to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that Ahmedabad (also referred to as Amdavad) in Gujarat is its chosen city for hosting the 2036 Olympics. This decision was presented during a high-profile meeting at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, attended by:
- Representatives from the Union Sports Ministry
- Gujarat government officials
- Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President P.T. Usha
This move ends previous speculation about a multi-city bid and establishes Ahmedabad as the focal point of India’s Olympic aspirations
High-Level Delegation Engages IOC
The Indian delegation’s visit to Lausanne comes at a unique time: the IOC has paused the host city selection process for future Games, including 2036, to allow more input from its members. Despite this, India used the opportunity to:
- Articulate its vision for hosting the Olympics, aligning with national initiatives like “Viksit Bharat 2047”
- Engage in the IOC’s “Continuous Dialogue” process, a non-binding phase where interested countries discuss their capabilities and ambitions
- Gather guidance from the IOC on technical, strategic, and infrastructural requirements for staging the Games.
Vision and National Impact
India’s Olympic bid is not just about sports—it’s tied to broader national goals:
- Youth Empowerment: Hosting the Olympics would inspire 600 million young Indians and provide an unprecedented opportunity to experience the Games at home.
- Socio-Economic Development: The event is seen as a catalyst for urban growth, innovation, and education, especially in Ahmedabad.
- Global Unity: The bid emphasizes India’s philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (“The world is one family”), promising a welcoming and inclusive Olympic experience.
Key Figures and Next Steps
- The Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, will play a central role in coordinating preparations, investments, and international relations.
- The Local Organising Committee will be established, with Ahmedabad’s organizing body set to be trademarked and protected, similar to past Olympic host cities.
- The process is currently in the Continuous Dialogue phase. The next step is the Targeted Dialogue phase, where the IOC will select “Preferred Hosts” for deeper evaluation.
Competition and Outlook
India faces competition from cities and countries including Nusantara (Indonesia), Istanbul (Turkey), Santiago (Chile), Egypt, South Korea, Doha (Qatar), Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), and others. However, India’s bid stands out due to its scale, youth population, and integration with national development strategies.
India’s Olympic bid progress has reached an official and strategic phase, with Ahmedabad at its center and strong government backing. While the IOC’s selection process is currently paused, India’s proactive engagement and clear vision position it as a leading contender for the 2036 Summer Olympics.
India Olympic bid progress continues to make headlines as the country strengthens its case to bring the world’s biggest sporting event to its shores for the first time.