Context:

During his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort in August, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed India’s ambition to host the 2036 Olympic Games. This announcement, while bold, is significant given that India has never hosted the Olympics before. The growing respect for Indian athletes and the increasing engagement with sports in the country suggest that this Olympic dream is within reach. The success of this bid will largely depend on India's ability to build consensus both domestically and internationally.

Olympic Host Selection and India's Aspirations

The Process of Selecting an Olympic Host

Hosting the Olympic Games requires tremendous effort and preparation. As observed during the preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the process is extensive and complex. Paris, for example, is preparing to host 329 medal events across 32 sports, in addition to accommodating a large influx of tourists. Since 2019, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has reformed the host selection process to increase transparency and integrity, partly in response to corruption allegations related to the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Games. The revamped process was first used in 2021 when Brisbane was chosen to host the 2032 Olympics.

Currently, potential host cities engage in confidential discussions with the Future Host Commission (FHC), a specialised body within the IOC. The FHC's responsibilities go beyond ensuring transparency; they also assess the feasibility of bids, as well as environmental and human rights considerations. The IOC is expected to hold an election in 2026, where its members will vote on the host city for the 2036 Olympics.

India’s Journey Towards Olympic Hosting

India’s path toward hosting the Olympics began in 2010 after successfully organizing the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. This success led to reforms in sports governance through the National Sports Development Code, known as the ‘Sports Code.’ In 2017, the Indian government launched the Khelo India Scheme, aiming to improve sports infrastructure, develop talent, and promote sports from the grassroots level.

The Khelo India Rising Talent Identification programme specifically targets young athletes between the ages of nine and 18, with selected individuals receiving government support. At the Paris Olympics this year, 28 Indian athletes who participated were identified through this programme, demonstrating its impact on the country's sporting landscape.

Current State of India’s Sports Infrastructure

The Role of States in Building Sports Infrastructure

Sports fall under the State List as per Entry 33 of the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution, making it primarily a state responsibility. Tamil Nadu stands out among the states for its robust sports infrastructure. Recently, the Tamil Nadu government announced the creation of a Global Sports City on the outskirts of Chennai, featuring international-standard facilities such as a multipurpose stadium, football grounds, athletic tracks, an Olympic-size swimming pool, and a sports medicine centre. Tamil Nadu has also excelled in promoting beach sports, with Kovalam hosting international surfing events and Chennai organizing an international beach volleyball tournament in 2010 and an international sailing regatta in 2014.

Olympic-Level Infrastructure

An analysis reveals that only 10.4% of India’s mapped and completed sports infrastructure meets Olympic standards. This statistic does not account for upcoming sports infrastructure projects. According to the government’s Khelo India dashboard, of the completed 15,822 sports infrastructure and 20,823 completed sports facilities in India, only 1,645 completed sporting infrastructure and 2,473 completed sporting facilities are of Olympic standard, covering 334 districts.

A Unified Approach for a Strong Bid

• Strategic Planning for Hosting the Olympics : The most significant expense in hosting the Olympics is the construction of sporting infrastructure. Paris has set an example by minimizing costs through the use of existing venues and facilities. In India, Tamil Nadu boasts nearly 390 Olympic-standard infrastructure facilities, followed by Delhi with 161 and Odisha with 153. Tamil Nadu's experience in hosting the South Asian Federation Games in 1995 and the Khelo India Youth Games in 2024 has contributed to its strong sports infrastructure. Similarly, Odisha’s capital, Bhubaneswar, showcased world-class facilities during the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023. By leveraging the existing infrastructure in states like Tamil Nadu, Delhi, and Odisha, India can put forward a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable bid for the 2036 Olympics.
• Enhancing Global Influence and Economic Growth : India aims to use the Olympics as a platform to enhance its global soft power, emulating how post-war Europe, post-apartheid South Africa, Brazil, and China have leveraged the Games to project their influence. By hosting the Olympics, India expects to stimulate significant investment and tourism, similar to the economic boost experienced by China following the 2008 Beijing Olympics, which led to a GDP growth increase of around 0.8%. Additionally, the Olympics align with India's broader global ambitions. Building on the success of the recent G-20 summit, India views the Olympics as a strategic opportunity to elevate its international stature, potentially strengthening its bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
• The Need for Collaborative Efforts : India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics is a matter of national importance, requiring cooperation across political and territorial lines. Leadership from the highest levels of the Union government is crucial, but this effort must also be inclusive and collaborative, involving various stakeholders. States should be consulted, and a multi-stakeholder committee should be established to plan India’s bid. This committee should draw on the expertise of states like Tamil Nadu and Odisha, ensuring that the proposal aligns with the criteria set by the FHC.

Conclusion 

For India to successfully host the 2036 Olympics, it must present a bid that is truly representative of the country’s potential. This will require a unified and strategic approach, emphasising the existing infrastructure in key states and ensuring broad-based support from all stakeholders. It's just that (infrastructure and technology) needs to be spread across the length and breadth of India because India is a huge country and we have pockets of athletes who come from different parts of India. The Sports Authority of India and the government are working on this, but the quantum will rise only with time. By doing so, India can strengthen its case to host one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events, reflecting the nation’s growing stature in the global sports arena.

Source: The Hindu