Name: Why India is so determined to land the 2036 Olympics
Uploaded: 2025-11-01T21:38:27.636Z
Duration: 4 min 55 s
Description: India is going all in on an ambitious bid to host its first ever Olympics in 2036. For The National, CBC’s Salimah Shivji breaks down why Prime Minister Narendra Modi is so determined and the challenges that stand in the way.

India is going all in on an ambitious bid to host its first ever Olympics in 2036. For The National, CBC’s Salimah Shivji breaks down why Prime Minister Narendra Modi is so determined and the challenges that stand in the way.

New Delhi

India is making a determined push to host the 2036 Olympic Games, with Ahmedabad in Gujarat state proposed as the host city. The country has increased investments in sports infrastructure and launched a lobbying effort to convince the International Olympic Committee of its readiness, despite facing competition from Qatar, Turkey, and Chile.

Indian officials cite national pride and economic growth as motivations, but concerns remain over governance, doping, and past event mismanagement. The government is also preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, aiming to showcase improvements and address previous shortcomings.

Why India is so determined to land the 2036 Olympics

Early morning and training is on. Precision and concentration vital as the shots are lined up. For these young athletes diligently practicing an Olympic sport. That India excels in shooting. Cracked it. And the Indian supporters go crazy to recognize the bronze medalist. How cool is this? It's party time in India. Three medals in the discipline at the last summer Olympics in Paris. Giving impetus to India's ambitious bid to host the games for the first time ever in 2036. It's news that makes these two teenage shooters cheer. What do you want to do with this sport? What's your highest goal? Olympics. Mostly competing in one they say. But they'd also love to see the games at home. It'll be a proud moment for India. And India has the infrastructure and all. So it's going to be really great. Exciting. The infrastructure is not quite there yet. But the push is on in the proposed host city Ahmedabad in India's western Gujarat state. Where construction on sports venues has already kicked into high gear. As India tries to convince officials with the International Olympic Committee that the South Asian country's time has come. A still developing nation with the world's fastest growing major economy. The lobbying and charm offensive to get the Olympics has been on for months. And Indian officials keep announcing more investments on sports infrastructure. There's a promise to build more than 10 new stadiums here in Ahmedabad. There's also enthusiasm on the streets. Even if India faces stiff competition. With rival bids from Qatar, Turkey and Chile. India earlier was an underdeveloped country. And now they are taking notice of Indians. Matter of pride. That sense of pride a key thread. When India's Prime Minister spelled out the country's ambition to land the games during Independence Day celebrations last year. We organized a fantastic G20 summit, Narendra Modi says. It proves India can welcome any major event. Our goal is clear, he says. We want to host the 2036 Olympics on Indian soil. To that end, India's team lobbied hard at the Paris Games. And at home. There's been a concerted years-long effort from Modi's government to up funding and praise for athletes. The government keeps talking up the benefits of hosting the prestigious sporting event. For the nation, for development. But the risks are very high. In 2010, the Commonwealth Games in Delhi were shambolic. Plagued by construction delays, corruption scandals and massive mismanagement. Now, India will get a do-over. With Ahmedabad set to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030. Six years before the Olympics that India is trying to land in that same city. But this expert on the economics of the Olympics says it's extremely rare for any games to be a good idea. It's just not a sound investment. The IOC has reportedly raised concerns over bad governance within the Indian Olympic Association. High doping rates and India's dismal record at the Olympics. With a meagre six medals in Paris, for a country of more than 1.4 billion people. Their highest total ever in a single Games was only seven medals. But at the shooting range in Pune, as former World Cup champion Shahumane completes another day of training. The question marks over India's Olympic bid are completely overshadowed by the possible benefits. Yeah, I feel India can host the Olympics in a well manner because they have the infrastructure right now. The government is trying everything to build up. It's a winning proposition for all of these athletes. Dreaming of gold and glory at home.

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