Lausanne: A delegation, featuring IOA President P T Usha and Gujarat’s Minister of State for Sports Harsh Sanghavi, met officials of the International Olympic Committee here to “explore the opportunity and feasibility of India hosting a future edition of the Olympic Games”.
The delegation was here despite new IOC President Kirsty Coventry declaring that the entire host selection process was being paused and a working group was being set up to figure out the “appropriate time” to identify a future host.
She had, however, made it clear that officials from India, which is seeking to host the 2036 Games, were welcome to engage in a dialogue.
“This crucial exchange aimed to explore the opportunity and feasibility of India hosting a future edition of the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” stated a press release from the visiting delegation.
The discussions provided a vital platform for the Indian delegation to articulate their vision for hosting a future Olympic Games in Ahmedabad, the release added.
The exchange is expected to help the Indian team “sharpen its ambition.”
“India’s engagement with the Olympic Movement is at a transformative moment, one that goes beyond competitive sports to embrace the true spirit of Olympism – promoting peace, education, and cultural exchange through sports,” stated Usha. “The Olympic Games in India would not just be a spectacular event; they would have a generational impact for all Indians.”
Sanghavi affirmed the state’s commitment to hosting the Games, highlighting their investments in sport and dedication to the Olympic Movement as evidence. He noted that hosting the Games would be monumental for Gujarat, fostering unprecedented growth and inspiring a new generation.
“We are eager to be true partners to the IOC in the coming months of this process and, hopefully, in the years to come as we work together to realise this shared ambition,” he added.
In her first press conference after taking charge, Coventry declared overwhelming support from IOC members for pausing and reviewing the future host election process. Members want to be more engaged in the process and there was significant discussion on the timing of awarding the next host.
Coventry mentioned that the executive board members felt it was important to study the experiences of already decided future hosts – Los Angeles (2028 Summer Games), Brisbane (2032 Summer Games), and the French Alps (2030 Winter Games) – before proceeding with future proposals.
India submitted a Letter of Intent to host the 2036 Games in October last year.
