In Pune, Maharashtra, the Olympic-standard shooting range was bustling with excitement as discussions arose about India’s ambition to secure the 2036 Summer Games. Shahu Mane, a former 10-metre air pistol mixed event World Cup champion, emphasized the significance of hosting the Olympics, describing it as an unparalleled platform. Mane, also a former Youth Olympic Games silver medallist, highlighted the government’s efforts to enhance infrastructure, foreseeing positive impacts on the country and sports sector.
A recent visit by an Indian delegation to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) headquarters in Lausanne marked the official pitch of Ahmedabad, Gujarat’s largest city, as the potential host city for India’s 2036 bid. Despite the formal presentation, Indian officials had been quietly strategizing for two years to bolster their bid.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s declaration during the 2024 Independence Day celebration underscored the government’s commitment to bringing the Olympics to India in 2036. However, India faces challenges such as governance issues within the Olympic Association and historical low medal counts at previous Games.
Despite these obstacles, athletes at Pune’s Gun for Glory Shooting Academy remain optimistic about India’s bid, particularly in shooting disciplines where the country has excelled. The prospect of international athletes competing in India was deemed exciting by young athletes like Shrisha Patil, who expressed pride in the idea.
Ahmedabad’s ongoing construction of sports facilities signals India’s readiness to host major events, with plans for ten stadiums underway to sway the IOC in India’s favor against competing bids. The IOC’s anticipated addition of a new Indian sponsor further reflects the seriousness of India’s Olympic aspirations.
In the face of doping challenges and governance concerns raised by the IOC, India’s path to hosting the Olympics is fraught with hurdles. Neeraj Chopra, India’s celebrated javelin thrower, acknowledged the doping issues prevalent in the country, as highlighted by the World Anti-Doping Agency’s statistics.
While India’s history with large-scale sporting events has been marred by past shortcomings, the country’s bid for the 2036 Olympics continues to evoke mixed reactions. Despite skepticism from experts like Andrew Zimbalist, who question the economic viability of hosting the Games in Ahmedabad, proponents believe in the potential benefits for Indian athletes and the sporting community.
The dream of winning an Olympic medal on home soil resonates strongly among Indian athletes like Shreya Agrawal, emphasizing the transformative power of such an achievement. As India navigates the complexities of its Olympic bid, the prospect of hosting the Games remains a beacon of hope for many in the country.