New Delhi: India’s campaign to host the 2036 Olympics is currently in the Continuous Dialogue phase with the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Future Host Commission, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya informed the Lok Sabha on Monday.
Responding to a query from AAP MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, Mandaviya said the bidding process is being handled by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), which has already submitted a letter of intent to the IOC. However, he did not clarify whether the bid proposes hosting events across multiple cities — a plan Hayer suggested could include hockey in Bhubaneswar, rowing in Bhopal, canoeing/kayaking in Pune, and cricket in Mumbai.
Mandaviya stressed that the IOC alone decides on hosting rights through a detailed selection process. While India has not officially proposed a host city, Gujarat has been leading the charge, with its Sports Minister Harsh Sanghavi recently visiting IOC headquarters in Lausanne as part of the Indian delegation.
The Continuous Dialogue phase allows the IOC to assess the feasibility of a bid. However, new IOC President Kirsty Coventry — the first woman and first African to hold the post — has paused the host selection process to review its structure, citing consensus from members at her first Executive Board meeting in June. A working group will now study lessons from confirmed future hosts — Los Angeles (2028), Brisbane (2032), and the French Alps (2030 Winter Games) — before proceeding.
India faces competition from Qatar and Turkey in the race for 2036. Meanwhile, the IOC has also raised concerns over India’s poor anti-doping record, prompting the IOA to form a panel to address the issue.
Mandaviya on Indian Football’s Decline
Mandaviya was also questioned about the state of Indian football. Congress MP Adoor Prakash pointed out that the national men’s team has reached its lowest FIFA ranking in nine years and that the Indian Super League is currently on hold due to technical issues.
The minister attributed the fall in rankings to the dynamic nature of FIFA’s system, which is influenced by match results, the strength of opponents, and match frequency. He said the Sports Authority of India (SAI) works with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to review performance and development, offering regular advice.
Currently, 500 athletes are being trained in football under SAI programs.
