India’s 2036 Olympics bid gets timeline: IOC reveals when host will be finalized

A picture from the 146th meeting of the International Olympic Committee in Lausanne. (AP photo) NEW DELHI: India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics gained more clarity on Wednesday after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved a revamped host selection process that will culminate in the announcement of the winning bid in mid-2029.At the 146th session of the IOC in Lausanne, members approved the proposal of the chairperson of the future host commission and former Croatian president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic to introduce a new phase of “strategic dialogue” in the selection process. The move aims to increase transparency and provide greater visibility to nations competing to host the Games. “Potential hosts wanted more clarity. All stakeholders wanted more transparency,” Grabar-Kitarovic said in outlining the changes. She added that the goal is to determine and choose the host of the 2036 Olympic Games by mid-2029.The decision is significant for India, which formally entered the race by submitting its Letter of Intent in 2024 and is currently engaged in the IOC’s Continuous Dialogue phase. Ahmedabad remains the proposed host city for India’s ambitious Olympic project.

Financial guarantees, site visits and final evaluation

As part of the revised process, stakeholders will first continue in a continuous dialogue phase before a shortlist is drawn up in March 2027.“Stakeholders will be shortlisted for the ‘Strategic Dialogue’ in March 2027 and will be required to respond to the Prospective Host Questionnaire and submit basic financial guarantees before being considered for the final stage of evaluation, known as the Targeted Dialogue,” the IOC said.The strategic dialogue phase will require candidate countries to provide initial responses to the IOC questionnaire, demonstrate financial support and meet requirements related to cost control, project delivery schedules and infrastructure planning. The future host commission will also conduct site visits to evaluate the proposed sites and plans of the host city.“During this new transitional phase, they are expected to provide a first response to the Prospective Host Questionnaire and basic financial guarantees,” the IOC said.After this stage, the shortlisted candidates will advance to the targeted dialogue stage in 2028, which will essentially serve as the final leg of the race.

The IOC will finish hosting the 2036 Olympic Games in mid-2029

“The preferred host will have to update its submission. It will also have to submit a full set of guarantees. The final decision on the host for the 2036 Games will be taken at the mid-2029 meeting,” Grabar-Kitarovič said.She further stressed that potential hosts will have to provide “a complete set of guarantees to provide maximum legal and financial security”.India faces strong competition from Qatar, with Turkey and South Africa also expected to be among the contenders. At the conclusion of the targeted dialogue phase, the IOC Executive Board will identify the preferred hosts and place them on the ballot prior to the IOC meeting.The process of selecting an Olympic host was suspended last year by IOC President Kirsty Coventry, who, following feedback from IOC members, called for wider consultation with potential hosts.