Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reaffirmed India’s ambition to host the 2036 Olympic Games, saying major sporting events could create new opportunities for young athletes. India is also preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad..reports Asian Lite News Desk
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said India is moving forward with its ambition to host the 2036 Olympic Games, highlighting the potential for major international sporting events to create opportunities for young athletes.
Addressing the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Jaigopal Garodia Hindu Vidyalaya in Chennai on Sunday, Modi said India was preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and pursuing its ambition to stage the Olympics six years later.
“India is preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. We are also moving forward with the dream of hosting the 2036 Olympics,” Modi said.
He added that hosting major international sporting events would give young people access to better facilities, support and opportunities to pursue their sporting ambitions.
“In the coming years, when the world’s biggest sports events will be held in India, the youth of India will have a platform, potential and support,” he said.
Modi said opportunities for young people in sport were expanding as the country developed its sporting infrastructure and strengthened training and support systems.
He also stressed the importance of allowing young people to consider sport as a career rather than treating it solely as entertainment.
“Every youngster has their own unique dreams and talents. For example, I am sure there are many of you who want to make sports their career. This is why the country is ensuring that sports should not be limited to entertainment only,” he said.
The Prime Minister said young athletes were receiving better training and support, while India’s position in international sport was improving.
“It means the opportunities are endless. I am confident that your generation will take India to new heights in the world of sports,” he added.
India is among seven interested parties currently in dialogue with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over hosting the 2036 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. The other parties are Germany, Hungary, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, South Africa and Türkiye.
India formally expressed its interest in hosting the Games by submitting a Letter of Intent to the IOC’s Future Host Commission on 1 October 2024.
The selection process involves several stages. The IOC Executive Board is expected to shortlist interested parties for the next stage by March 2027, with the host scheduled to be elected by IOC members in mid-2029.
India’s ambition to host the Olympics remains part of a wider effort to establish the country as a venue for major international sporting competitions. Hosting such events would require extensive planning, infrastructure development and coordination across sporting and public institutions.
Before the proposed Olympic bid progresses further, India is preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad. The event will provide the country with another opportunity to stage a major international competition.
Modi was in Chennai on Sunday for several engagements, including the inauguration of development projects in Tamil Nadu.
Earlier in the day, he and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay flagged off the first train on the Chennai Metro Rail Phase II network. The two travelled on the inaugural service between Porur and Poonamallee.
The Prime Minister’s remarks placed India’s Olympic ambition alongside its preparations for the Commonwealth Games, with a focus on expanding sporting opportunities and developing the next generation of athletes.
