2036 Olympics in India: Bold PM Modi Claim vs. IOC Reality Check

'India preparing with full strength to host 2036 Olympics': PM Modi

Table of Contents

Modi’s Bold Claim and the Nation of Sports

Speaking at the 72nd National Volleyball Championship in Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a statement that sent shockwaves through the sporting world: India is “preparing with full strength” to host the 2036 Olympic Games . For a nation of over 1.4 billion people that has never hosted the Summer Olympics, this is a monumental ambition.

The Prime Minister pointed to India’s successful history of organizing major international events as a foundation for this grand vision. His announcement is more than just a sporting goal; it’s a powerful statement of national confidence and a potential catalyst for massive infrastructure development .

The 2036 Olympics in India: Is It Official?

While PM Modi’s declaration is definitive, the official pathway to hosting the Olympics is a complex, multi-year process governed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It’s crucial to understand the distinction between a government’s intent and a formal, accepted bid.

India officially entered the race in October 2023 when the Prime Minister confirmed the nation’s intention to the IOC [[1], [8]]. In July 2025, Ahmedabad was named as the proposed host city for the event [[7], [10]]. However, as of now, no formal bid dossier has been submitted to the IOC, and no single Indian city has been officially and irrevocably confirmed as the candidate .

Where Does India’s Bid Stand with the IOC?

The current status of India’s ambition is what the IOC calls the “continuous dialogue” phase [[3], [9]]. This is an exploratory stage where the IOC and a potential host nation have informal discussions about the feasibility, vision, and potential challenges of a bid. It is not a guarantee of a formal candidacy.

Complicating the timeline, the IOC announced in mid-2025 that it was pausing its final decision on the 2036 host. A dedicated working group has been formed to refine the entire host selection process, meaning a final decision is now likely to be delayed beyond its original schedule . This gives India more time to build its case but also adds uncertainty.

The Fierce Global Race for 2036

India is far from the only nation with its eyes on the 2036 prize. The competition is expected to be incredibly tough, with several other countries in the “continuous dialogue” phase or with well-advanced plans. Key rivals include:

  • Qatar: With Doha as its host city, Qatar is leveraging its state-of-the-art infrastructure from the 2022 FIFA World Cup and has already had high-level meetings with IOC leadership [[13], [15]].
  • Turkey: Istanbul has a long history of bidding for the Olympics and remains a serious contender .
  • South Korea: Proposing a unique “multi-city” bid with events in North Jeolla and Seoul, South Korea brings immense organizational experience from the 1988 Seoul Olympics and the 2018 Winter Games [[14], [16]].
  • Indonesia: Jakarta is also in the mix, aiming to be the first Southeast Asian nation to host the Summer Games .

India’s Track Record: Hosting Global Sport

To bolster its 2036 bid, India can point to a growing and impressive portfolio of successfully hosted international events. This track record is a critical part of PM Modi’s argument. Some recent and notable examples include [[18], [19]]:

  • 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup
  • 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup
  • Multiple editions of the Hockey World Cup
  • 2025 ICC Champions Trophy
  • The upcoming 2026 BWF World Championships

Furthermore, the government’s commitment is visible in new infrastructure projects, such as the recently inaugurated foundation stone for the National Cricket Academy in Gujarat . These efforts are part of the broader “India as a Sports Nation” vision, with the 2036 Olympics as its crowning jewel.

Conclusion: A Monumental Task Ahead

PM Modi’s declaration that India is preparing to host the 2036 Olympics in India is a powerful signal of the nation’s sporting aspirations. While the ambition is clear and the initial track record is promising, the path to actually hosting the Games is long, fraught with fierce global competition, and still in its early, unofficial stages with the IOC. The pause in the IOC’s decision-making process adds another layer of complexity. For India, the next few years will be critical in transforming this bold political vision into a concrete, credible, and ultimately successful Olympic bid.

Sources

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