India’s 2036 Olympics bid to focus on ‘Rising Together’

INDIA will center its bid to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the vision of “Rising Together,” with the country set to present its project to the International Olympic Committee’s Future Host Commission at the end of October.

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha announced the vision on Wednesday, a day after the IOC confirmed India as one of seven countries with a stated interest in hosting the 2036 Olympics.

Germany, Hungary, Qatar, Republic of Korea, South Africa and Turkiye are the other countries currently in talks with the IOC. The countries have been invited to present their Games projects to the Future Host Commission in November.

India submitted its Expression of Interest to host the Games in 2024. Ahmedabad is the proposed host city. India has never hosted the Olympic Games.

“India's ambition for 2036 is rooted in a simple idea: that sport can help shape the future of our nation. Hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games would inspire millions of young Indians to participate in sport, strengthen healthier and more active communities, and create new opportunities for our youth across education, employment and social development,” Mandaviya said in a press release issued by the IOA.

The IOA said the “Rising Together” vision reflects its belief that hosting the Games in 2036 could be a moment of transformation for India through sport.

“For India, hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games would be a generational opportunity to place sport at the heart of national life,” the association said.

“The project is designed to act as a catalyst for a wider sporting transformation: inspiring millions of young people to move from watching sport to practising it, supporting healthier and more active communities, and making sport a driver of education and professional opportunities,” it added.

Usha said the IOA was honored by the IOC’s recognition of India’s aspirations.

“...proud to be part of an exceptional group of potential hosts for future editions of the Games,” she said.

“For us, 'Rising Together' is not simply a slogan -- it is a powerful commitment to unite India's energy, ambition and diversity behind a shared Olympic dream.

“As we develop our vision for 2036, we want to create a Games that reflects the confidence of a young, dynamic and rising India, while contributing to the Olympic and Paralympic Movements’ ambition to reach new generations, new communities and new horizons around the world.

“We look forward to continuing our exchange with the IOC and to present our ambition to the Future Host Commission for the first time at the end of October,” she added.

The IOC said the projects will be assessed on technical factors including the venue master plan and athlete experience, funding strategy, political and public support, Games delivery capabilities and a legacy strategy aimed at creating long-term benefits for host communities.

No other interested parties will be considered for the 2036 Games after October 31.

The next phase after the November presentations will be Strategic Dialogue instead of Targeted Dialogue. The final phase will begin in 2028, with preferred hosts expected to be named after the dialogue phase. A final decision is expected in mid-2029.

“Wherever the Games take place, one thing must never change: athletes have to be at the heart of everything we do,” IOC President Kirsty Coventry said. “That is why, for every future host, delivering the best possible experience for the athletes must always be the starting point.”

The host selection process was revised under Coventry, adding the Strategic Dialogue stage and involving IOC members more throughout the process.

Ahmedabad will host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. The 2028 Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles, while Brisbane will host the 2032 Games.

(With inputs from agencies)