New Delhi. Taking the first major step towards hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036, India has submitted the letter of intent to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) expressing the country’s desire. According to a source in the Sports Ministry, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had submitted this letter to the IOC on October 1. After this, IOA President PT Usha issued a video statement and officially confirmed it. Usha said, “The IOA is in constant touch with the IOC and I hope that we will be seen as a generous host.” Before Usha’s statement, a Sports Ministry source had said, “This important occasion can bring substantial benefits by promoting economic development, social progress and youth empowerment across the country.”
Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi first talked about his government’s desire to host the 2036 Olympics.
The decision on the host will not be taken before the IOC elections next year. India will also have to face a tough challenge in the hosting race from many other countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey who are presenting themselves as strong contenders for hosting this sports Mahakumbh.
The submission of the letter of intent means that the country has moved from informal dialogue to the stage of continuous dialogue in the process of choosing the host of the Olympics. In this phase, the IOC conducts a practical study of the progress of the Games-related projects of the potential hosts.
The IOC said on its official website, “The behavioral assessment takes into account a number of factors, including human rights, business for social responsibility (BSR) and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).” The next stage of the process will be a targeted dialogue, which will require the submission of a formal bid. This will be evaluated by the future host commission. This process will finally end with the selection of the host country.
India’s hosting claim also has the support of current IOC chief Thomas Bach. India had earlier hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2010. These games were organized in New Delhi but Ahmedabad is being seen as a strong contender to become the host city for the Olympics 2036.
India’s top sports administrators, including IOA president PT Usha, were at the Paris Olympics this year to lobby for the country. It is also learned that if India gets the hosting rights, it will insist on inclusion of indigenous sports like Yoga, Kho-Kho and Kabaddi.
The Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) of the Sports Authority of India has also presented a detailed report to the new Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on the measures required to win Olympic hosting.
In this report, MOC has identified six sports which will be included in the Olympics if India gets the hosting rights. These sports include Yoga, Kho Kho, Kabaddi, Chess, T20 Cricket and Squash. Usha admitted that the road ahead would be quite challenging. Usha is in dispute with the members of the Executive Council of IOA. He said, “Despite some internal challenges at the IOA, our commitment to hosting the 2036 Summer Games remains firm.”