New Delhi: India has said it is “ready and confident” as it prepares to navigate the International Olympic Committee’s revamped host selection process for the 2036 Olympic Games, with its bid expected to move through multiple structured dialogue stages in the coming years.
India had formally expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Games in Ahmedabad in 2024 through a letter of intent. However, the process was later paused in 2025 after the IOC leadership initiated a review of the selection framework. A revised system has now been approved, introducing a more layered and structured evaluation process for future host cities.
Under the new mechanism, India is currently in the Continuous Dialogue phase, along with other interested countries. The process will gradually progress into a Strategic Dialogue stage in 2027, where candidates will be required to present detailed financial guarantees, cost management plans and delivery timelines for proposed infrastructure.
Authorities involved in the bid process said India will engage with the IOC through multiple channels to strengthen its case, while maintaining compliance with rules that prevent direct outreach to individual IOC members at a governmental level.
Competition for the 2036 Games is expected to be intense, with Qatar considered a leading rival, while Turkey and South Africa are also anticipated to submit bids. The final decision is scheduled for mid 2029, when the IOC Executive Board will recommend preferred candidates for election by the IOC Session.
The revised selection system also includes a Future Host Commission that will conduct site visits and evaluate long term readiness before advancing candidates into the final Targeted Dialogue stage in 2028.
In parallel, the government is also preparing amendments to the National Anti Doping Bill, which is expected to be tabled in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament. The proposed changes aim to introduce stricter penalties, including criminal provisions against the trafficking and distribution of banned substances, with potential jail terms for offenders.
Officials said the move is intended to strengthen anti doping enforcement in sport, especially as India continues to record a high number of violations in global monitoring reports. The bill reflects an earlier attempt to introduce tougher measures, which were later modified in the final version passed in 2022.
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