India, 6 other countries in race to host 2036 Olympics
Ahmedabad is India's city of choice to host the mega-event, which has never been held in the country before. India submitted its Expression of Interest to host the Games in 2024
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Tuesday (October 6) said India, Germany, Qatar and Turkiye are among seven countries with a stated interest in hosting the 2036 Olympics.
They have been invited to present their Games projects to the IOC's Future Host Commission next month, IOC stated.
The IOC said the projects will be assessed on a number of technical factors such as venue master-plan and athlete experience, funding strategy, political and public support, Games delivery capabilities, and legacy strategy to create long-term benefits for host communities. The world body, however, did not share the exact timeline for these presentations.
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"The Interested Parties currently in Continuous Dialogue with the IOC, with a stated interest in hosting the 2036 Olympic Games, are (in alphabetical order): Germany, Hungary, India, Qatar, Republic of Korea, South Africa and Turkiye," read a statement from the IOC.
Ahmedabad chosen by India
"There are also a number of NOCs taking part in noncommittal talks with the IOC about hosting future Olympic Games beyond 2036. The Interested Parties have been invited to present their projects to the Future Host Commission in November," it added.
The IOC, keeping this schedule in view, said no other Interested Parties will be considered for 2036 after October 31.
Ahmedabad is India's city of choice to host the mega-event, which has never been held in the country before. India submitted its Expression of Interest to host the Games in 2024.
The host selection process was subsequently halted by new IOC President Kirsty Coventry, who said fresh feedback would be taken from member nations to streamline the process.
Host to be known in 2029
The host of the 2036 Games will be known in mid-2029 and India's negotiations will be led by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in collaboration with the Gujarat government, with the support of the Union Sports Ministry.
The candidate cities will have to meet the criteria related to cost control and clear timelines for completion of project milestones, among other aspects.
The next phase after the November presentations will be Strategic Dialogue instead of Targeted Dialogue, which will remain the final phase of the decision-making process even in the revamped structure. The last phase will begin in 2028.
At the end of the Targeted Dialogue, the IOC Members will receive a report from the Future Host Commission.
Following this, in mid-2029, the IOC Executive Board will select Preferred Hosts to be "put forward for election by the IOC Session to become the host of the 2036 Olympic Games."