India and Qatar have officially expressed their aspirations to host the 2036 Olympics, as confirmed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Tuesday. They are among seven contenders vying for the opportunity. The IOC plans to make a decision in 2029 through a vote involving more than 100 members.
Apart from India and Qatar, South Africa, South Korea, Germany, Hungary, and Turkey are also engaging in discussions with the IOC regarding potential future hosting prospects, including the 2040 and even 2044 editions. IOC President Kirsty Coventry emphasized the importance of placing athletes at the forefront of all Olympic endeavors, regardless of the hosting location.
The IOC has set a deadline of October 31 for other national Olympic committees to enter the competition for the 2036 Games. India’s proposal focuses on the city of Ahmedabad, which will host the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and boasts the world’s largest cricket stadium, named after Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Qatar, renowned for hosting world championships in various top-tier Olympic sports, including the upcoming 2022 World Cup, may expand its bid beyond Doha to involve neighboring Gulf countries in hosting certain events. If Qatar wins the bid, it could prompt a shift in the traditional July-August timeframe for the Summer Games, which has been consistent since 2004 in Athens up to the 2032 edition in Brisbane.
The IOC disclosed that in March, the executive board led by Coventry will finalize a shortlist of potential host cities to develop detailed proposals. The target date for the contested vote in 2029 marks a return to the previous selection process for Summer Games hosts. This timeline is later than initially anticipated, as both India and Qatar, along with other national Olympic representatives, had initially aimed for a quicker decision and presented their bid plans during the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Upon assuming office in June 2025, Coventry opted to halt the expedited selection process that led to Brisbane being awarded the 2032 Games 11 years in advance without a competitive vote.
