India, Qatar Join Seven Bidders in 2036 Olympics Race

GENEVA: The race to host the 2036 Olympics now has a full starting grid. India and Qatar, two of the most talked-about contenders, were formally confirmed on Tuesday as part of a seven-nation field. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has also given late entrants until October 31 to join.

As Vegas11 News follows the build-up to the 2036 Olympics, one theme stands out. This is a contest between established Games hosts and ambitious newcomers.

Who Are the Seven Bidders for the 2036 Olympics?

Alongside India and Qatar, the field includes South Africa, South Korea, Germany, Hungary and Turkey. The IOC process is open-ended, so these countries can aim for 2036 or look ahead to the 2040 and 2044 Summer Olympics instead.

The IOC wants to settle the matter in 2029, when its more than 100 members will vote. That electorate includes two names closely tied to the leading bids: Nita Ambani of India and Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

IOC President Puts Athletes at the Centre

IOC President Kirsty Coventry, a two-time Olympic swimming gold medallist, set the tone. Whichever country wins, she said, athletes have to be “at the heart of everything we do.”

The IOC also released a 30-page guide to steer bidders through the next two and a half years. The IOC executive board, which Coventry chairs, will make the key decisions in that period. Its 15 members include NBA great Pau Gasol, who represents athletes.

India’s Olympic Bid Centres on Ahmedabad

India’s pitch is built around Ahmedabad. The city will host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and is home to the world’s biggest cricket stadium, which is named after Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A successful bid would put the Olympic spotlight on one of the world’s largest sporting markets.

Qatar Could Shift the Olympic Calendar

Qatar arrives with serious event experience. It has hosted world championships in most major Olympic sports, as well as the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Its bid could also grow beyond Doha to include venues in neighbouring Gulf states.

The weather raises a big question. A Qatar Games would probably have to move away from the traditional July-August window. Every Summer Olympics from Athens 2004 through Brisbane 2032 has been held in that period.

Could the Summer Olympics Come to Africa for the First Time?

South Africa’s proposal may carry the biggest historical weight. It is shaping up as a national effort centred on Cape Town. If it succeeds, it would deliver the first Summer Olympics on African soil since the modern Games began in 1896.

Other Host City Candidates: Seoul, Munich, Budapest and Istanbul

South Korea: Seoul, host of the 1988 Summer Olympics, would anchor the bid, with events spread across the country.
Germany: Officials chose Munich last month. The city last hosted the Games in 1972.
Hungary: Budapest is the proposed host.
Turkey: Istanbul is the proposed host.

What Happens Next in the 2036 Olympic Bid Process

The next big date is March, when the IOC executive board is expected to approve a shortlist of candidates. Those countries will then develop detailed bid projects. Before that, the October 31 deadline will show whether any surprise names enter the field.

For now, seven nations are in the race, and the Games could land in Asia, Africa or Europe. Vegas11 News will keep tracking each step of the 2036 Olympics bidding story.