Qatar confirms talks over hosting 2036 Games
FILE PHOTO: The Olympic Rings monument is seen outside the Japan Olympic Committee (JOC) headquarters near the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan June 23, 2021.REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo
DOHA - The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) said on Tuesday it was taking part in discussions with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over the election process for the host city of the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The country, which hosted soccer's World Cup in 2022 and the Asian Cup in 2024, is the latest to join the race to stage the 2036 Games after confirmed bids from Indonesia, Turkey, India and Chile.
Other Asian countries considering a bid include Saudi Arabia and South Korea. Egypt, Hungary, Italy, Germany, Denmark and Canada have also shown interest.
"We currently have 95% of the required sports infrastructure in place to host the Games, and we have a comprehensive national plan to ensure 100% readiness of all facilities," Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, the president of QOC, told the state-run Qatar News Agency.
"This plan is rooted in a long-term vision aimed at building a socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable legacy."
Qatar's capital Doha is set to host the Asian Games in 2030, having staged the event in 2006.
A successful bid would make Qatar the first country in the Middle East to host the Olympics amid the region's growing influence over major sporting events. Saudi Arabia is set to hold the soccer World Cup in 2034. REUTERS
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22
Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking
Singapore Miscalculation of MOH subsidies and grants led to $7m in overpayments, $2m in shortfalls
Asia Malaysian aide's unresolved 2009 death tests govt's reform pledge despite DAP chief's apology
Singapore Woman evacuated from lift in Supreme Court building after falling glass triggers emergency halt
Singapore 2 charged over alleged role in posting bail for man who later absconded
Business Chat with experts on brand media coverage at the latest Conversations with ST
Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Straits Times
28 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Arsenal sign defender Mosquera from Valencia
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Arsenal have signed central defender Cristhian Mosquera from LaLiga side Valencia on a long-term deal, the Premier League club said on Thursday. Details of the transfer were not disclosed but British media reported the 21-year-old Spaniard has signed a five-year contract for an initial fee of around 15 million euros ($17.7 million), plus add-ons. Mosquera featured in 90 matches for Valencia across all competitions and played 37 of their 38 LaLiga games last season to help them finish 12th. He joins Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard and Noni Madueke among Arsenal's close-season signings. Striker Viktor Gyokeres is also reported to be on the brink of joining the London club as manager Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his squad after finishing runners-up in the last three Premier League seasons. "We're delighted to welcome Cristhian to Arsenal. As a 21-year-old defender, Cristhian has already performed consistently well with significant experience in LaLiga," Arteta said in a statement. "He is an intelligent player with good pace, who can play centrally and on both sides." REUTERS Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia 11 Thai civilians killed as Thai and Cambodian militaries clash at disputed border: Reports Asia Singapore urges all parties in Thailand-Cambodia border dispute to exercise restraint Asia Deadly Thai-Cambodian dispute puts Asean's relevance on the line Life Hulk Hogan, who helped turn pro wrestling into a billion-dollar spectacle, dies at 71 Singapore Avoid water activities around Tuas Second Link, Raffles Marina after chemical tank accident: NEA Singapore Khatib Camp to make way for housing, with its functions moving to Amoy Quee Camp Singapore Mindef to set up new volunteer management unit to grow volunteer pool Singapore Primary 1 registration: 29 schools to conduct ballot in Phase 2B

Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Reports: LAFC chasing Tottenham star Heung-Min Son
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Los Angeles FC are pursuing Tottenham Hotspur star forward Heung-Min Son, multiple outlets are reporting. The Spurs are considering an offer of 15 million pounds ($20.3 million USD) from the MLS club, according to The Sun, based in the United Kingdom. Son, 33, has been at Tottenham since 2015 and is under contract with the Premier League side through 2026. The South Korean international recorded 11 goals and 12 assists in 46 matches last season for the Europa League champions. Son has contributed 173 goals and 101 assists in 454 matches with Tottenham since arriving from Germany's Bayer Leverkusen in 2015. --Field Level Media REUTERS

Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Australian Ben O'Connor wins Tour de France Stage 18
Find out what's new on ST website and app. General view of the riders during the 18th stage of the Tour de France. COURCHEVEL COL DE LA LOZE – Australian Ben O'Connor of the Jayco AlUla team won the 18th stage of the Tour de France, a 171.5-km mountain trek between Vif and the Col de la Loze on Thursday. Slovenian Tadej Pogacar finished second and retained the overall leader's yellow jersey, stretching his advantage over chief rival Jonas Vingegaard, who came up third, by 11 seconds to 4:26. When asked if he felt he could win the stage, O'Connor said: 'No, not at all. But I felt much better today from the start. I was pretty active. 'It's a rough race. It's the biggest race in the world, but it's for sure the cruellest. I couldn't be more proud of myself, and the boys, they backed me every single day through this whole race, even in the rough times. 'Thanks to everyone at Jayco-AlUla. It's what the team needed and what I needed.' Pogacar suffered a big scare when he bumped into the team car of Vingegaard before the start of the stage. 'We were going to the start line and the cars were also going... we were cruising behind the (Visma-Lease a Bike) car, maybe a bit too close and he suddenly... maybe I don't know if he wanted to brake check me, to check my brakes,' Pogacar said with a smile. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia 11 Thai civilians killed as Thai and Cambodian militaries clash at disputed border: Reports Asia Singapore urges all parties in Thailand-Cambodia border dispute to exercise restraint Asia Deadly Thai-Cambodian dispute puts Asean's relevance on the line Singapore Avoid water activities around Tuas Second Link, Raffles Marina after chemical tank accident: NEA Singapore Technology can help efforts to shift healthcare delivery towards the community: Ong Ye Kung Singapore Khatib Camp to make way for housing, with its functions moving to Amoy Quee Camp Singapore Mindef to set up new volunteer management unit to grow volunteer pool Singapore Primary 1 registration: 29 schools to conduct ballot in Phase 2B 'I was not ready because I did not see the reason why he had to stop urgently so we crashed into the car, but it's okay, I'm okay we're good.' Meanwhile, Ineos' top-ranked rider Carlos Rodriguez pulled out of the Tour after suffering a broken pelvis on Stage 17's late mass pile-up the previous day. In 10th position going into the rainy flat stage, the Spanish climb specialist became entangled in a spectacular pile-up of flying bikes and bodies on the home straight at Valence on Wednesday. 'Carlos remains under the close supervision of our medical team. He will now return home to focus on recovery,' Ineos said. Ineos had already lost former time trial world champion Filippo Ganna to concussion on Stage 1 at Lille. The once-mighty British team, formerly known as Team SKY, won the Tour seven times between 2012-2019, but have been in a relative lull in recent years. Additionally, a team soigneur, or carer, has also left the Tour after being asked to speak to the International Testing Agency (ITA) over allegations relating to the 2012 season. 'Following recent media allegations, David (Rozman) has now received a request from the ITA to attend an interview. Accordingly, he has stepped back from race duties and has left the Tour,' Ineos said, adding the team had not been presented with formal evidence or asked to participate in any inquiry. The ITA declined to comment and Rozman did not answer phone calls. AFP, REUTERS