India is bidding for the hosting rights of the 2036 Olympics. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has submitted an official letter of intent to host the 2036 Olympics in India to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). A formal declaration of interest was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 141st IOC Session in October 2023.
Will India Host the 2036 Olympics?
India is making a strong effort to secure the hosting rights for the 2036 Olympics, though the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has yet to announce an official decision.The final host is expected to be announced by 2026. The Indian government is making a strong push this time, having initially considered bidding for the 2032 Olympics before shifting focus to 2036 Olympics. Ahmedabad has been proposed as the primary host city, with additional events planned across cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Bhubaneswar.
To strengthen its Olympic bid, India is also considering hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games. In this regard, a significant meeting took place on January 30, 2025, in Gandhinagar, where Indian officials met with Chris Jenkins, Vice President of the Commonwealth Games Federation. The proposal aims to host the Commonwealth Games in Gujarat, reinforcing India’s readiness and capability to organize large-scale international sporting events ahead of the Olympic decision.
A Look Back: The History of the Olympic Games
Ancient Roots to Modern Revival
The Olympic Games began in ancient Greece, first taking place in Olympia around 776 BCE. Originally held in honor of the god Zeus, the event combined athletic competitions with religious rituals. Early Olympic sports included footraces, wrestling, and chariot racing. These games were celebrated for over a thousand years before being abolished in 393 CE by Roman Emperor Theodosius I, who opposed pagan festivals.
The modern version of the Olympics was revived much later, in 1896, with the efforts of French educator Pierre de Coubertin. The inaugural modern Games were held in Athens, featuring athletes from 14 nations. Over time, the Olympics expanded significantly, becoming the largest international sporting event, with participants from more than 200 countries.
In 1924, the Winter Olympics were introduced to spotlight cold-weather sports. Today, the Olympics take place every four years and aim to foster global unity, sportsmanship, and peaceful cooperation through athletic excellence.
Evolution of Hosting Nations Over the Decades
Since the modern Olympics began in 1896, the hosting nations have evolved significantly. In the early decades, most Games were held in Europe and North America, with cities like Paris, London, and St. Louis dominating, reflecting the global power balance of the time. This trend began to shift in 1964, when Tokyo became the first Asian city to host the Games. Soon after, Mexico City hosted in 1968, followed by Seoul in 1988, signaling the Olympic’s move beyond the West.
In recent years, the Games have reached more diverse regions. China hosted in 2008 and again in 2022, making Beijing the first city to host both Summer and Winter Olympics. Brazil marked South America’s debut with Rio 2016. Nations like Qatar and India are now bidding strongly, showing growing ambition .
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has updated its selection process to focus more on factors like environmental sustainability, long-term legacy, and community backing. This shift has opened the door for more countries, especially those outside the traditional wealthy nations to compete for hosting rights.
Today, being chosen to host the Olympics is not only about organizing a major sporting event, but also about showcasing a country’s global image, development capabilities, and cultural presence on the world stage.
The Olympic Bidding Process: How Is a Host City Chosen?
The selection of an Olympic host city is managed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) through a multi-step process. It starts when a country, through its National Olympic Committee (NOC), submits a formal expression of interest. The cities involved then enter a continuous dialogue phase, where they share their early plans, including venue layouts, infrastructure, accommodation, transport systems, and environmental strategies.
If a city shows strong potential, it is invited into the targeted dialogue phase. During this stage, the city prepares a detailed bid that includes financial planning, legacy benefits, sustainability goals, public support, and security arrangements. These bids are reviewed by the Future Host Commission, which makes recommendations to the IOC Executive Board.
The final host is selected through a vote by all IOC members, with the winning city needing a majority. This decision is usually made 7 to 11 years in advance. Recently, the IOC has also supported joint bids by multiple cities or regions to make hosting more adaptable and widespread.
India’s Olympic Journey: Why Hasn’t It Hosted Yet?
Although India had shown interest in hosting the Olympics in 1984 and 2020, it had not sent any official letter of intent to the IOC before. This was due to several factors, including inadequate infrastructure and limited technological advancement at the time. As previously noted, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) considers multiple criteria when awarding hosting rights. India struggled to meet key expectations such as world-class sports infrastructure, consistent political stability, and financial transparency. Past allegations of corruption and bureaucratic delays have also raised concerns among IOC members.
These challenges have long kept India on the sidelines of Olympic hosting, but this time, the country appears more prepared than ever. The government is actively backing the bid and putting forth its full efforts ranging from infrastructure planning to international diplomacy to make a strong case for hosting the 2036 Olympics.
India’s Bid for the 2036 Olympics: What We Know So Far
Government Announcements and Infrastructure Plans
The Indian government has proposed Ahmedabad as the potential host city and Gujarat as the host state for the 2036 Olympics in India. It is expected that the opening ceremony will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium, currently the world’s largest cricket stadium. Additionally, the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave is being developed in Ahmedabad with Olympic standards in mind, aiming to host multiple sporting events.
Other sports competitions are likely to take place in cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Bhopal, and Ahmedabad. The government has proposed an estimated budget of ₹64,000 crore to support infrastructure upgrades and event preparations, demonstrating a significant commitment to the Olympic bid.
Promised Venues and Host City Candidate
A multi-city proposal was presented in January 2025, outlining the cities expected to host specific sporting events for the 2036 Olympics. Later, in March 2025, Goa and Agra were added to the list as potential venues for sailing, football, and archery respectively.
- Ahmedabad – Aquatics, Athletics, Basketball, Shooting, Tennis, Urban Sports, Volleyball, Main Olympic Village
- Bhubaneswar – Field Hockey
- Bhopal – Rowing
- Mumbai – Cricket, Football
- Pune – Canoeing
- Goa – Football, Sailing
- Agra (Taj Mahal backdrop) – Archery
Global Competition: Who Else Wants to Host the 2036 Olympics?
Several countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, South Africa, Indonesia, Turkey, and India, have shown interest in hosting the 2036 Olympic Games. This wide range of potential hosts reflects growing global enthusiasm to organize the event. It is also a significant moment for Africa, as this is the first time that two African nations, Egypt and South Africa, have expressed interest together. So far, Africa is the only continent, apart from Antarctica, that has never hosted the Olympics. If selected for the 2036 Olympics, it would mark a historic milestone in the spread of the Olympic Games worldwide.
Impact on Indian Sports and Athletes
Hosting the 2036 Olympics would bring big benefits to Indian sports and athletes. It would lead to better stadiums, training centres, and sports facilities across the country. This means Indian athletes would get more support, including good coaches, fitness experts, and better equipment.
Playing in front of home crowds gives athletes more confidence and can help them perform better. Other countries like China and the UK won more medals when they hosted the Olympics. India could also see better results if the Games are held here.
More children and young people would take interest in sports after watching the2036 Olympics in their own country. It would also help promote sports that are not very popular in India right now, like gymnastics, swimming, or athletics.
The experience of preparing for such a big event would make India’s sports system stronger. Even after the Olympics are over, the new stadiums and training centres would still be useful for future athletes.
In short, hosting the 2036 Olympics could change the future of sports in India by building better infrastructure, inspiring new talent, and giving Indian athletes a chance to shine on the world stage.
Final Thoughts: Is India Ready for the Olympic Dream?
India is emerging as one of the strongest potential candidates to host the 2036 Olympics. The Indian government is actively pushing for the hosting rights, with strong backing from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Additionally, France has pledged support to India, offering expertise based on its experience hosting the Paris 2024 Games. India is making significant progress in developing world-class sports infrastructure, such as the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave in Ahmedabad.
However, India may face challenges such as ensuring transparency in sports governance, managing the huge financial costs involved, and upgrading transportation and accommodation facilities to meet global standards. Despite these hurdles, India is well-prepared and committed to making the Games successful.
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