India has formally proposed Ahmedabad as its venue to host a future edition of the Olympic Games, targeting the 2036 Summer Olympics. This development came after a key meeting on Tuesday between an Indian delegation and senior officials of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The Indian contingent included Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president and former athlete PT Usha, representatives from the Union Sports Ministry, and officials from the Gujarat government. Their visit aimed to present India&rsquo;s formal interest in hosting the event and to engage with the IOC on the organisational and infrastructural expectations of future Olympic hosts.
A statement issued following the meeting confirmed that Ahmedabad had been officially communicated to the IOC as the preferred host city. &ldquo;The discussions provided a vital platform for the Indian delegation to articulate their vision for hosting a future Olympic Games in Amdavad (Ahmedabad). Concurrently, they gained invaluable insights from the IOC regarding the requirements for the Olympic Games and its ambitions for the future of the Olympic Movement,&rdquo; the release noted.
The press note further stated that an Olympic Games held in India would be transformative, marking a historic first for the country. &ldquo;It would serve as a catalyst to elevate Indian sport, offering 600 million young Indians their first opportunity to witness the Olympics on home soil. It would be a generational springboard for socio-economic development, innovation, education, and youth pride, advancing both India and the Olympic Movement. The bid embraces the Indian ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam &ndash; the world is one family &ndash; and will welcome the world as one during the Games,&rdquo; the statement said.
PT Usha emphasised the long-term significance of the bid, stating, &ldquo;The Olympic Games in India would not just be a spectacular event, they would be one of generational impact for all Indians.&rdquo;
Gujarat sports minister Harsh Sanghavi echoed the sentiment, adding, &ldquo;We are eager to be a true partner to the IOC in the coming months of this process and, hopefully, in the years to come, as we work together to realise this shared ambition.&rdquo;
The announcement was made soon after newly appointed IOC President Kirsty Coventry declared a suspension in the host selection process. Coventry explained that IOC members wanted more involvement in choosing future Olympic cities. &ldquo;There was overwhelming support from the IOC members for a pause to be done and a review of the future host election process and we will be setting up a working group to look into this,&rdquo; she said after chairing her first Executive Board meeting.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Firstly, members want to be more engaged in the process and secondly, there was a very big discussion on when the next host will be awarded.&rdquo;
With Brisbane already confirmed as the 2032 host, the 2036 edition is the next opportunity for countries to secure the Games. Alongside India, other prospective bidders for the 2036 Olympics include Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Turkey, and Chile.&nbsp;
India, which has previously hosted the Asian Games in 1951 and 1982 and the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, is now making its most ambitious sporting bid to date.
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India formally proposes Ahmedabad to host Olympics, joins race for 2036 amid IOC selection pause.

Ahmedabad Announced as India’s 2036 Olympic Bid City

India formally proposes Ahmedabad to host Olympics, joins race for 2036 amid IOC selection pause.

July 3, 2025 | 18:46 IST