As India pitches Ahmedabad as host for 2036 Olympics, Qatar emerges as challenger

New Delhi: Just weeks after India nominated Ahmedabad as host city in its bid to host the 2036 Olympics, Qatar has now confirmed this week that it too is entering the race.

Doha, which previously hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2019 World Athletics Championships, will also be the venue for the 2030 Asian Games. The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) announced on Tuesday that it is part of “ongoing discussions” with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) under its new selection process.

“We currently have 95% of the required sports infrastructure ready and a national plan to achieve full preparedness,” said Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, president of QOC and head of the bid committee. Other countries reportedly bidding for the 2036 Games include Turkey, Indonesia, and Chile.

Earlier this month, an Indian delegation led by Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha and Gujarat sports minister Harsh Sanghvi, with Ahmedabad being proposed as the host city, visited the IOC headquarters in Lausanne to begin the “continuous dialogue” process.

During the meeting, the Indian team emphasised how the Games could serve as a catalyst for socio-economic growth, education, youth engagement and innovation in the country. Meanwhile, the upcoming Summer Games are scheduled to take place in Los Angeles in 2028, followed by Brisbane in 2032. DeshGujarat