INDIA: In a historic declaration, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reaffirmed India’s unwavering commitment to host the 2036 Olympics. Speaking during the inauguration of the 141st Session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), India marked its return as a global sports host after a 40-year hiatus.
Celebrating India’s sporting heritage
Prime Minister Modi, in his address, emphasized the profound significance of sports in India’s rich history. He underlined the integral role of sports in Indian festivals, noting that they unite people and empower humanity.
He expressed, “In the world of sports, there are no losers—only winners and learners,” highlighting the universal spirit of sports and India’s collective dream to host one of the world’s most significant sporting events.
Dreaming big: Hosting the Youth Olympics in 2029
In addition to its bid for the 2036 Olympics, India has expressed a strong desire to host the 2029 Youth Olympics. Prime Minister Modi underscored the enthusiasm among Indians for hosting the Olympics, a dream shared by the country’s 1.4 billion citizens. India is fully committed to garnering strong support from the IOC for these ambitious hosting aspirations.
The Price of Glory: The challenge of hosting the Olympics
The endeavor to host the Olympics is no small feat, as exemplified by the estimated cost of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, which reached a staggering USD 15 billion, doubling the initial projections made when Tokyo was awarded the Games in 2013.
Ahmedabad: The potential host city
If India secures the bid for the 2036 Olympics, Ahmedabad is poised to be the host city. The IOC has adopted a streamlined approach to select the candidate, with interested countries submitting proposals. The Executive Board is presented with a favored candidate by the IOC’s Future Host Commission. Following this, the Executive Board engages in discussions with the chosen candidate and decides whether to present the proposal at an IOC session for a vote.
Global Competition: Facing challenges from other nations
India is up against some fierce rivals, including those from Korea, Mexico, Germany, and Italy. While India hosted the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, the nation has continued to showcase its capabilities by hosting various prestigious tournaments in recent years, including the Boxing World Championship and the Asian Wrestling Championship.
A visionary IOC President’s acknowledgment
IOC President Thomas Bach acknowledged India’s remarkable economic and sporting growth in his address. He welcomed the IOC Session’s location in India and commended the nation’s impressive performance at the Asian Games, where India secured 107 medals. Bach also emphasized the pivotal role of e-sports in the Olympic movement, stressing the need to adapt to the ever-accelerating pace of technological advancements, particularly in the realms of artificial intelligence and e-sports.
A technological revolution in sports
Bach highlighted that the 2024 Paris Olympics would mark the final Games held in the pre-artificial intelligence era, emphasizing the growing impact of technology on the future of sports.
Distinguished guests at the IOC session
Neeraj Chopra, an Olympic gold medalist, was present at the opening of the IOC Session, together with Abhinav Bindra, Gianni Infantino, Eric Garcetti, Leander Paes, Jhulan Goswami, Harmanpreet Kaur, Shah Rukh Khan, and other famous visitors. The attendance of Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis added to the significance of this momentous event.
A nation’s ambitious bid
India’s ambitious bid to host the 2036 Olympics and 2029 Youth Olympics is a testament to the nation’s commitment to making a mark on the global sports stage while promoting the universal spirit of sports and unity. As the IOC’s selection process unfolds, the world eagerly anticipates whether India’s dreams will materialize.
Also Read: 2036 Olympics: Poland Plans to Enter the Race for Hosting
