India Still in the Hunt for the 2036 Olympics
India’s dream to hold the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games is in a key phase, although the nation has a long road ahead before potentially clinching the event. India is listed among seven nations that are in contention to host the Games, according to the International Olympic Committee, the governing body of the global multi-sport event. Hungary, South Korea, Qatar, South Africa, Turkey, and Germany are the other nations in the fray.
For advertisement on our platform, do call at +91 6377460764 or email us at [email protected].
In November, the IOC said it had asked all seven applicants to prepare formal bids for its Future Host Commission. Ahmedabad is listed as India’s candidate city. An Indian city will not be named as the host until 2029 and India still has to pass a few hurdles before it can lay claim to hosting the Games.
Why India Could Still Face Difficulties
The fact that India has made it to a list of seven interested countries should also not be mistaken for being in the final shortlist. As per the IOC’s new process, there will be a first step, of conducting feasibility study for candidates before the organisation shortlists final projects for Strategic Dialogue.
The Olympics organizers said the proposals would be assessed on a range of criteria, such as venues, athletic experience, costs, financial guarantees, support from the government and public, delivery of the Games and the long-term legacy for host cities. India will need to show its Olympic bid makes sound financial as well as technical and organisational sense.
Governance and Anti Doping Issues Could Matter
India has previously been questioned in talks with the IOC. In a Parliament statement in 2025, the Government of India said that issues raised in talks about the 2036 bid included governance, anti doping measures and India’s performance at past Olympic Games.
They do not, however, suggest that the IOC has turned down the Indian bid. But they do signal where India could offer firmer guarantees, in areas like oversight of sport bodies, fair competition, athletes’ well-being and adherence to Olympic standards.
Yes, the Indian Olympic Association has also been pushing through governance reforms, and the IOC has been paying close attention to the Indian organisation’s own constitution and governance arrangements. Which means the bidding process isn’t solely about the construction of stadiums and other infrastructure.
India Face Tough Competition
India is not the only nation being compared. South Africa, Germany, Hungary, Turkey, and South Korea are all having continuous dialogues with the IOC. Qatar, in particular, has much experience of hosting global sporting events after the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
South Africa is trying to make history as the first African country to host the Olympics, and South Korea has the advantage of the experience of hosting the Winter Olympics in 2018. Germany has also submitted a European bid to host the 2036 Olympics. It is a very different contest than having India compete against a single rival.
When Will India Know Its Fate?
The next big hurdle for India would be its presentation to the IOC’s Future Host Commission. Following the November presentations, the IOC is expected to carry out a feasibility check and pick who advances to the Strategic Dialogue. This process is expected to carry on through 2027 and 2028.
The ultimate decision is to be made by the IOC members in 2029. So any reports stating India has already been rejected or the IOC will never consider India are jumping the gun. India is in fact among the seven countries presently being considered.
Similarly, being nominated alone does not ensure Ahmedabad gets the Games. India has to still win over the International Olympic Committee on issues like infrastructure, financing, governance, athlete experience and public support and long-term planning.
