New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reiterated India’s determination to host the 2036 Olympic Games, expressing confidence that the country is steadily establishing itself as a credible destination for major international sporting events.
Modi made the remarks on Thursday while interacting with India’s Asian Games medal-winners at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in New Delhi. The gathering included members of the gold-winning men’s and women’s cricket teams, along with athletes who excelled in hockey, archery and other disciplines.
India formally submitted its Expression of Interest to host the 2036 Olympics in 2024. The International Olympic Committee has confirmed that India is among seven countries interested in hosting the Games. These countries have been invited to present their proposals to the Future Host Commission in November, with October 31 set as the deadline for registering new expressions of interest.
“India is emerging in establishing itself as a credible and hospitable country for international sports events. We are bidding for the 2036 Olympics, and it is our resolve that we will host the games,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister praised the contribution of India’s women athletes, who secured 38 medals, including 11 gold medals. He also lauded the performances of the cricket teams, hockey sides and archers, who won five gold medals. The women’s hockey team’s gold medal was especially significant, ending a 44-year wait for the top honour at the Games.
The men’s T20 cricket team, led by Shreyas Iyer, and the women’s team attended the interaction. Former women’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur presented Modi with a jersey signed by the gold-winning squad, alongside her successor Smriti Mandhana.
Seventeen-year-old archer Kumkum Mohod, who won two gold medals and a silver, gifted the Prime Minister a bow, while golfer Pranavi Urs presented him with a framed golf ball and glove.
Modi credited India’s improving sporting ecosystem to sustained investment and policy initiatives, including direct financial assistance to athletes and support for overseas coaching opportunities.
He emphasised that sporting success requires years of dedication, recalling the efforts made over the past 12 years to strengthen India’s sports ecosystem.
The interaction was attended by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Indian Olympic Association president P T Usha and ICC chairman Jay Shah, among other officials. Modi urged the medal-winners to inspire young athletes as India works towards greater achievements on the international sporting stage.
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