By Richa Singh, Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express (LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richa-singh-sports-journalist)
Last Updated: June 19, 2025
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
Key Highlights
- Letter of Intent Submitted: On October 1, 2024, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) formally sent its Letter of Intent to the International Olympic Committee’s Future Host Commission, marking India’s first official step toward hosting the 2036 Summer Games en.wikipedia.org m.economictimes.com.
- Potential Host City: Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is widely regarded as the frontrunner, thanks to the Narendra Modi Stadium and recent investments in sporting infrastructure swimswam.com.
- Government Backing: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has publicly reiterated India’s ambition to host the Olympics, framing it as a national priority.
Background
Since announcing its interest at the 141st IOC Session in October 2023, India has been systematically building its 2036 bid. Early steps included:
- Engagement with IOC Officials: IOA representatives participated in IOC observer programs during Paris 2024 to learn best practices.
- Infrastructure Upgrades: The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has committed to upgrading facilities nationwide to Olympic standards en.wikipedia.org.
- Multi‑City Proposal: A proposed model could span Ahmedabad (opening ceremony, athletics, aquatics), Mumbai (cricket, football), Bhubaneswar (hockey), Pune (canoeing), and Agra (archery), aiming to spread economic benefits across several states en.wikipedia.org.
Expert Insights
“India’s bid offers a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to revamp our sports infrastructure and create lasting community legacies,” says Moya Dodd, former FIFA Council member and sports governance expert reuters.com.
“The key will be balancing world‑class venues with grassroots development to nurture future champions.”
What Happens Next?
- IOC Evaluation Phase (2025–2026): The Future Host Commission will review India’s detailed bid book, focusing on infrastructure, sustainability plans, and legacy programs.
- Candidate City Selection (2027): If shortlisted, India will advance to the candidate phase, presenting a comprehensive budget, security strategy, and environmental impact assessment.
- Final Decision (2030): The IOC members will vote to award the 2036 Games, with announcements typically made six years in advance.
Daily Digest
- June 19, 2025: IOA meets with Ministry of Home Affairs to finalize security protocols.
- June 22, 2025: IOC Future Host Commission to visit India for on‑site inspections (tentative).
- July 1, 2025: Deadline for detailed bid document submission to IOC.
