2036 Olympics: Govt Considers a Multi-city Approach with Ahmedabad at the Center

While Ahmedabad remains the focal point of India's quest to host the 2036 Olympics, the government is considering holding events in several places to make the Games a national movement. According to reports, prospective venues for key sports include hockey in Bhubaneswar, rowing in Bhopal, canoeing and kayaking in Pune, and cricket in Mumbai.

India has been in constant contact with the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Future Hosts Commission since submitting a Letter of Intent in October. The administration intends to submit a proposal to the global body shortly.

Infrastructure Development for Games

With a focus on Ahmedabad, the city is moving forward with sports infrastructure projects worth more than Rs 6,000 crore, independent of the outcome of the Olympic bid. These projects aim to address the public's health and enjoyment needs while also elevating Ahmedabad as an international sports destination.

A major continuing project is the Naranpura Sports Complex, which is scheduled to open in March. The complex, which would cover 20.39 acres and cost Rs 631.77 crore, will have Olympic-standard facilities such as swimming pools, basketball, volleyball, badminton courts, and gymnastics arenas. According to reports, almost 1,000 workers are working to complete the facility, which will be part of a larger infrastructure plan for the 2036 Olympics.

Gujarat's key Olympic hubs. The SVP will have various permanent venues for sports including as aquatics and tennis, as well as temporary arenas for other events throughout the Games.

A 35,000-seat stadium will be built in Karai for athletics, with the shooting competition taking place at the Karai Police Academy. The projects are projected to be finished by 2028.

Olympics 2026: Challenges Ahead

Despite the grandiose intentions, obstacles persist. The ongoing administrative troubles within the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), particularly disagreements between President PT Usha and the executive committee, have sparked worry. The IOC has already expressed concerns about the lack of progress in this area, and officials recognize that fixing these internal issues is crucial to India's reputation, according to the news article.

India will also face heavy competition from countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which have expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Olympics. These countries have leveraged their financial resources to obtain important global events like the FIFA World Cup.

The IOC has suggested that at least ten countries are contending for the 2036 Olympics, with a decision expected by 2026.