We still remember the Commonwealth scandal from back in 2010, don’t we. We remember how Suresh Kalmadi, the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Games Organizing Committee caused a loss of INR 90 Crores to the country in the name of hosting the Commonwealth Games. I wonder how long the country’s coffers took to recover from that; or if it has fully recovered where it is concerned at all.
Cut to 14 years later, we have bigger dreams in India. Let’s weigh it as best as we can. I’d say that a lot has changed since the last big scandal.
India has officially declared its intention to bid for hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics, a move that has generated significant excitement and debate within the country. That’s how it works – countries willing to host the games bid to the IOC and the best one wins. As one of the fastest-growing economies and a rising power in the global sporting arena (I know, cricket especially and the rest have a long way to go), India believes it has a strong case for hosting the prestigious event. Atleast the ones advocating it do – such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the billionaire Nita Ambani. However, the decision to bid raises a lot of questions about the country’s preparedness and the potential impact on its development priorities. Do we need another symbol of grandeur when we have basic healthcare and education to take care of?
Preparations are already underway
India has already begun laying the groundwork for its 2036 Olympic bid. Infrastructure is the biggest requirement to host the Olympics and the government has allocated significant resources for developing sports infrastructure across the country. According to Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, India has spent Rs 3,000 crore on creating 300 sports facilities, including 23 National Centres of Excellence, 69 SAI centres, and 1,075 Khelo India centres.
As much as I wonder if we are counting the chicken before the eggs hatch, the state of Gujarat has taken the lead in preparing for the potential host city of Ahmedabad. The Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA) has already identified 22 potential sites in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar to host the Olympics. The government has also engaged Populous Design Private Limited, an Australian architecture firm, to oversee the construction of six stadiums within the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave, with a total seating capacity of 80,000. [Data taken from news reports]
It comes with benefits
As much as we think that hosting such an event would be economically taxing for a developing country like India, hosting the Olympic Games has the potential to provide significant economic and social benefits for India. The event can attract investments, create jobs, and boost tourism, contributing to the country’s overall economic growth. The infrastructure development required for the games can also improve the quality of life for citizens, with better transportation, housing, and public facilities. Not to mention that the sports facilities will be beneficial for the country’s talents in the future.
It comes with challenges, of course.
Despite the potential benefits, hosting the Olympics presents a host of challenges for a developing country like India. Naturally, the costs associated with organizing the games can be substantial, and there are concerns about the authorities diverting resources from welfare schemes and other development priorities.
Let’s look into some data – the 2016 Rio Olympics cost around $11.1 billion, while the 2020 Tokyo Games spent $12.9 billion. India will need to carefully manage its resources to ensure that the costs do not become a burden on the economy. The bigger problem is the kind of corruption that India sees which can charge the coffers a bigger sum than what is truly required. We’ve seen plenty of examples in the past and we’d be idiots to assume that this time would be drastically different. Sure, we’d do somewhat better but I can’t help but believe that this factor would be our biggest, worst drawback.
There are also concerns about the sustainability of the infrastructure after the games. India must learn from the experiences of previous host cities that have struggled with the maintenance and utilization of Olympic venues. Waste management in itself is a massive issue. And a great part of the infrastructure will not be reusable.
We must first be competent
India’s bid for the 2036 Olympics is also a reflection of its growing ambitions in the world of sports. The country has made significant strides in recent years, with its athletes performing better in international competitions but we have a long, long way to go. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, India won a record seven medals, including a medal in men’s hockey after a gap of 41 years. The performance of Indian athletes in the 2024 Paris Olympics is also way below the mark.
There is some hope though. With athletics coming to the forefront and more awareness being spread about sports accomplishments in this country, we could hope that India will perform better in the upcoming international events. The government’s flagship Khelo India initiative has also helped create a pro-sports environment and identify talented athletes from across the country. If India successfully hosts the 2036 Olympics, it could serve as a catalyst for the country’s transformation into a sporting powerhouse. The event can inspire more Indians to take up sports, leading to a healthier and more active population.
Do we have the international leverage to achieve this?
It looks like we do. India’s bid for the 2036 Olympics has received support from the current International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, Thomas Bach, who believes the country has a strong case. However, India will face stiff competition from other countries interested in hosting the games, such as Spain, Mexico, Indonesia, Turkey, Poland, and Qatar. [Data from news reports] To increase its chances of success, India must present a compelling and well-thought-out bid that addresses the IOC’s concerns about sustainability, legacy planning, and athlete welfare. The country must also demonstrate its commitment to promoting Olympic values and ensuring a fair and inclusive games. Its certainly no child’s play, especially for a developing country that has SO MANY problems to deal with, but its certainly not too distant a dream either.
India’s bid for the 2036 Olympics represents a significant milestone in the country’s sporting and developmental journey. We may have our apprehensions, but this prospect provides opportunities for economic growth, infrastructure development, and international recognition. India must strike a balance between investing in sports infrastructure and addressing its pressing development needs. The country must also engage with the international community to build partnerships and learn from the experiences of previous host cities. The success of India’s Olympic bid will depend on its ability to create a sustainable and inclusive games that inspire the nation and the world. If executed well, the 2036 Olympics could be a transformative event that propels India towards becoming a global sporting powerhouse and a leader in sustainable development. If we can conquer corruption, that is.
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