This week, the Indian Olympic Committee (IOA) submitted the official Letter of Intent to host the 2036 Summer Olympics, marking a significant step in the international competition for one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events. According to the newspaper The Indian Expressalthough the choice of city is not yet final, Ahmedabad, an important urban center in western India, seems to be the main candidate.
A proposal that celebrates traditional Indian culture and sports
The Indian campaign stands out for its ambition to enrich the Olympic program by including disciplines that reflect the country’s sporting and cultural tradition. In addition to more well-known sports such as squash and the recent inclusion of cricket for Los Angeles 2028, India is proposing the inclusion of yogachess and traditional Indian sports such as warehouse warehouse and the kabaddi. These proposals aim not only to differentiate the programme, but also to celebrate and promote a key part of the subcontinent’s sporting culture and heritage.
An ambitious challenge after the controversial precedent of the 2010 Commonwealth Games
If India is chosen to host the 2036 Olympics, it would be the first large-scale multi-sport international event the country would host in over 25 years. The last notable experience, i Commonwealth Games del 2010 in New Delhi, was marked by heavy criticism and controversy. During the construction phase of the infrastructure, several workers lost their lives, while others reported sub-minimum wages and inadequate working conditions. Various reports even highlighted the presence of minors employed on construction sites, raising doubts about working conditions and respect for human rights.
On the eve of the event, 10,000 volunteers withdrew their availability, creating further organizational difficulties. Specific problems also affected the facilities, as in the case of the swimming pools: during the first evening of competitions, debris fell from the ceiling into the pool, causing delays in the competitions, and the water filter system broke just before the last competition session . These events contributed to a controversial and questioned image of the management of the event.
International support and a vision of economic growth
Despite the difficulties of the past, India’s candidacy for 2036 has received important international support, including that of the President of International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bachand the French president Emmanuel Macronwhich offered French expertise gained during the preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Furthermore, India, which is the second most populous nation in the world and the fifth largest global economy by GDP, is attracting the attention of the IOC for its immense trade potential. The organizers of Olympics in Los Angeles 2028 they have already decided to add cricket, a beloved sport in India, to the Olympic programme. There are even rumors of a possible move of the races to the east coast of the United States to facilitate the time difference for the benefit of Indian fans.
A new era for the Indian sports movement
International observers hope that India’s rapid economic and technological progress over the past decade, combined with growing political influence, could allow the country to avoid the pitfalls encountered during the Commonwealth Games. India has demonstrated remarkable innovation and a heightened awareness of global responsibilities, which could translate into more efficient and safe management of the Olympics.
A heated competition for 2036
India thus joins the list of nations that have officially submitted a candidacy for 2036, joining Istanbul (Turkey), Santiago (Chile) and Nusantara (Indonesia). In addition to these, dozens of other cities have expressed interest in hosting the Games, including Doha (Qatar) and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), which are already at the center of major campaigns.
The International Olympic Committee will not choose the host country until after the elections CIO next year, but the political support and economic commitment shown so far by India suggest a concrete possibility of seeing the country at the center of the sporting world in 2036.
