India takes first step towards hosting 2036 Olympics and paralympics, sends letter of intent

India has officially taken its first step towards hosting the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games. On October 1, 2024, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) submitted a ‘Letter of Intent’ to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Future Host Commission, signaling the country’s interest in hosting the prestigious event.

This submission marks a significant shift from an informal dialogue to a continuous one with the IOC. The next phase will involve a “targeted dialogue,” where India will submit a formal bid, which will be evaluated by the IOC. The host city will be announced at the 2025 IOC session. Several countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey, are also competing for the 2036 Games.

India’s bid is being presented as a transformative opportunity. The IOA, led by P.T. Usha, emphasized the economic, social, and cultural benefits hosting the Games would bring, not just to India, but to the wider SAARC region, which includes over 20% of the world’s population. The bid focuses on using the Olympics to promote sports across India, even in remote areas, and to inspire the youth. With over 600 million Indians under 25, the Games would serve as a catalyst for national pride and progress.

The IOA envisions lasting legacies beyond the event, including improved infrastructure, health, and social integration. Hosting the Games would also highlight India’s rich history and culture while looking toward the future.

Ahmedabad is considered the leading candidate to host the Games, but the IOA is also pushing for the inclusion of sports like yoga, kho kho, kabaddi, chess, T20 cricket, and squash, if the bid is successful. The decision will be a major step for India, whose bid reflects its growing ambitions on the global stage.