Context

• In his recent Independence Day address, the Prime Minister expressed India’s ambitious dream to host the 2036 Olympic Games.
• This announcement marks a significant moment in the nation's sporting history, as India has never hosted the Olympics before and has historically underperformed in the global athletic arena.
• Whether India can successfully secure its Olympic bid will depend on building consensus both within the country and on the global stage.

The Challenges of Hosting the Olympics

• Infrastructure Requirements
  • The most immediate challenge lies in developing and upgrading the infrastructure necessary to host an event of this magnitude.
  • This includes constructing or refurbishing sports venues, ensuring they meet Olympic standards.
  • The facilities must be capable of hosting diverse events, from athletics to aquatics, and should be adaptable to the specific needs of each sport.
  • Additionally, the infrastructure must include accommodation for athletes, media, and tourists, which often means building an Olympic Village and enhancing local hospitality capacities.
• Financial Investment
  • The financial burden of hosting the Olympics is immense.
  • The costs associated with constructing new facilities, upgrading existing ones, and ensuring the city is prepared to host millions of visitors can run into billions of dollars.
  • For example, the budget for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics was initially estimated at $7.3 billion but ballooned to over $15 billion due to various unforeseen challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The economic impact, while potentially beneficial in terms of tourism and global visibility, is often uncertain, with many host cities struggling to recoup their investments.
• Logistical and Operational Complexities
  • The logistics of hosting the Olympics involve coordinating thousands of moving parts.
  • This includes scheduling and managing events, ensuring the timely arrival and departure of athletes and officials, and coordinating with international sports federations and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
  • The complexity of these tasks cannot be understated, as any mismanagement can lead to disruptions, delays, or even cancellations, which can tarnish the reputation of the host city and country.
• Cultural and Social Integration
  • Culturally, hosting the Olympics requires the host city to present itself on a global stage, showcasing its heritage, values, and identity. This is both an opportunity and a challenge.
  • The host city must strike a balance between promoting its own culture and ensuring that the Games remain a celebration of global diversity.
  • This involves careful planning of opening and closing ceremonies, cultural events, and ensuring that the city is welcoming and accessible to people from all backgrounds.
• Global Expectations and Diplomatic Relations
  • Finally, the Olympics are not just a sporting event; they are a diplomatic opportunity.
  • The host city and country are placed under the global spotlight, and the success of the Games can influence international perceptions and relations.
  • This adds another layer of pressure, as any failure or controversy can have diplomatic repercussions.
  • The host city must navigate complex geopolitical landscapes, ensuring that the Games remain apolitical and that all nations feel equally welcomed and respected.

India’s Journey Towards Olympic Ambition

• India’s journey towards realising its Olympic ambitions began in earnest after hosting the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, which was a significant achievement for the country.
• The Indian government took steps to reform sports associations through the National Sports Development Code (Sports Code) and launched the Khelo India Scheme in 2017, aimed at improving the sports ecosystem from the grassroots level.
• The scheme focuses on upgrading sports infrastructure, developing talent, and promoting sports and sports academies across the country.
• One of the key initiatives under this scheme is the Khelo India Rising Talent Identification programme, which identifies and nurtures talented athletes between the ages of nine and 18 years.
• At the Paris Olympics in 2024, 28 Indian athletes who participated were Khelo India athletes, showcasing the success of these initiatives.

How Can India Successfully Bid for 2036 Olympics

• Leveraging State Infrastructure
  • In India, sports are a state subject, with individual states responsible for the development and maintenance of sports infrastructure.
  • Tamil Nadu, for example, has emerged as a leader in this regard, recently announcing the establishment of a Global Sports City on the outskirts of Chennai.
  • This facility is expected to include international-standard sports infrastructure, such as a multipurpose stadium, football grounds, athletic tracks, an Olympic-size swimming pool, and other amenities.
  • Tamil Nadu has also made significant strides in beach sports, hosting international beach volleyball and sailing tournaments in Chennai.
• India’s Great Potential for Cost-Efficient and Eco-Friendly Olympic Bid
  • The cost of hosting the Olympics is often a major concern for host countries, particularly in terms of building new sports infrastructure.
  • However, India can potentially reduce these costs by capitalising on existing venues and facilities, as Paris did for the 2024 Games.
  • According to the Indian government, Tamil Nadu already has nearly 390 Olympic-standard infrastructure facilities, while Delhi has 161 and Odisha has 153.
  • These states have hosted major sporting events in the past, such as the South Asian Federation Games, Khelo India Youth Games, and the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup, which have helped to develop world-class sports facilities.
  • By leveraging the existing infrastructure in these states, India can advance a cost-efficient and eco-friendly bid to host the 2036 Olympics.

Way Forward

• Building a National Consensus for the Olympic Bid
  • India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics will require a collaborative and cooperative approach among various stakeholders, including state governments, sports associations, and the central government.
  • It is essential that the leadership for this effort comes from the highest levels of the Union government.
  • A multi-stakeholder, representative committee should be formed to plan India’s bid, ensuring that the proposal put forward is in line with the criteria set by the FHC.
• Present a Compelling Case Before International Olympic Committee (IOC)
  • India should highlight its existing sports infrastructure, particularly in states like Tamil Nadu, Delhi, and Odisha, which already have facilities that meet Olympic standards.
  • Sustainability is a significant concern for the IOC, and India must show how it plans to host an eco-friendly Olympics.
  • This could include the use of renewable energy sources, sustainable construction practices, and innovative waste management systems.
  • Moreover, India must present its recent achievements in sports as evidence of its growing prowess on the global stage.
  • The success of the Khelo India program and the rising number of Indian athletes excelling internationally can be used to demonstrate the country’s commitment to nurturing sports from the grassroots level.

Conclusion

• India’s aspiration to host the 2036 Olympic Games is a bold and audacious vision that reflects the country’s growing confidence and ambition on the global stage.
• While the challenges of hosting such a prestigious event are immense, India has made significant strides in improving its sports infrastructure and developing its athletic talent.
• The success of India’s Olympic bid will depend on building a national consensus, leveraging existing infrastructure, and presenting a compelling case to the IOC.