The Path To India’s 2036 Olympics Bid: A Lengthy Journey From Dialogue To Assured Hosting

India's ambition to host the 2036 Olympics is a complex journey, with a flexible timeline and multiple stages in the bid process.

Written by: Shivani Kumari

Edited by: Krutarth Ghosalkar

Last Updated: October 16, 2023

Summary: Following Prime Minister Modi's announcement of India's Olympics bid, Express outlines the process leading to the Games' hosting rights, with insights from the Director of IOC's Future Olympic Games Hosts.

During Saturday evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced India's aspiration to host the 2036 Olympics, emphasizing the government's unwavering commitment to make it a reality for the nation, marking India's debut as a host.

India plans to host the 2036 Olympics, with discussions ongoing between the government and IOA. The final decision won't come until after the IOC's next year's election. India has already expressed its interest to the IOC, and discussions have taken place with IOC members. The bid can involve multiple cities or even nations, not just one city.

India has a challenging journey ahead to secure the Olympics. The Indian Express interviewed Jacqueline Barrett, the Future Olympic Games Hosts Director, and Marie Sallois, the IOC's Director of Corporate and Sustainable Development, for insights on the next steps.

Barrett noted that the IOC has received similar expressions of interest from around a dozen countries, much like India's engagement.

Olympic host selection varies in timing: Tokyo and Paris secured the Games seven years ahead, while Brisbane got the 2032 Olympics 11 years in advance. For 2036, no fixed deadline exists; a decision might not be made before 2026-27 or later, according to Jacqueline Barrett, the Future Olympic Games Hosts Director.

Expressing interest in hosting the Olympics initiates a "continuous dialogue" with the IOC, which is not tied to a specific year. It's a flexible, non-committal phase. Transitioning to the "targeted dialogue" marks a more serious bid, ensuring the pace aligns with the interested parties and no pressure to host in an unsuitable year.

In the initial stages, the IOC evaluates the host's vision and long-term goals. A master plan is then developed, focusing on the choice of location and its alignment with pre-existing ambitions. The IOC aims for each edition to have its unique identity, rather than following a fixed template.

Sallois from the IOC stresses local context and future vision. As the bid advances, the IOC assesses capabilities, infrastructure, and support from stakeholders.

During the targeted dialogue phase, the IOC's team assesses infrastructure with on-site visits. Barrett added that it's a structured process, including a detailed questionnaire and commitments from the preferred host.

Prospective Olympic hosts must offer over 20 guarantees, covering various aspects. The IOC promotes using existing or temporary venues to cut costs. The specific city or region for India's bid remains undisclosed.

Barrett noted that Olympic venue fan capacity is flexible, emphasizing the importance of preparing for an evolving and changing era of the Games.