India is planning to apply for holding 2036 Olympic Games in September 2023, the country’s Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur said.
“Yes, India is ready to positively bid for it. There is no reason for us to say ‘No’. If India is putting in so much effort to promote sports, I can assure you that we will not only host the Olympics, we will host it in a big way. This is the right time to host the Games. If India is making news in every sector from manufacturing to services, then why not in sports? India is looking very seriously at bidding for the 2036 Olympics,” the minister added.
"If India can host the G20 Presidency in such a big way, I am sure the government will be able to pitch in to host the Olympics in the country along with the IOA. We all know that the slots are booked till 2032. But 2036 onwards, we have hopes and I am sure India will fully prepare and bid for the Olympics," Thakur assured.
The Indian government will support the bid of the Indian Olympic Association to host the games and Gujarat’s Ahmedabad will become the city where the competition will be held, he added.
“Gujarat has several times expressed interest in hosting the Olympics. They have the infrastructure — from hotels, hostels, airports and sports complexes. They are serious about the bid. It's also part of the state government's manifesto to host the Olympics in Gujarat," the minister said.
The next Summer Olympics will take place in Paris in 2024, with the next two Olympic Games scheduled to take place in Los Angeles and Brisbane in 2028 and 2032, respectively.