India, Qatar battle for hosting 2036 Olympics: Promise vs readiness, Global South vs Middle East, major economy vs diplomatic hub

Indian Express

7 days ago

Slick reels. Snappy videos. And montages of sporting royalties — from Roger Federer to David Beckham — saying good things about Doha. In a coordinated publicity blitzkrieg, Qatar announced its bid to host the 2036 Olympics last week.
The Gulf nation's interest in hosting the Games was whispered in the Olympic circles for months. With this announcement, it is now official. India, which has been working on its bid for close to two years, has competition in a race that also includes Turkey, Indonesia, Hungary, and Germany, which want to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 1936 Olympics, among others.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has paused the host selection process as it reviews the current rules.
Picking a host nation for the Olympics has never been a straightforward process. So, to say that one country has an edge over the other will be premature. And often, given the hectic behind-the-scenes parleys, merit isn't always the only deciding factor — who better than Qatar, who won the controversial 2022 FIFA World Cup bid to know that!
Some of the overarching messages from the initial statements made by both nations are similar, the difference is in the language.
Sample this, Qatar in their initial pitch last week have said they 'view sport as a means to… foster a world that is more united, tolerant, and harmonious.' India, in its letter of intent to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has highlighted that it hopes to 'seek peace, friendship and collective progress among all nations'.
Or take the promise of inclusivity. 'Qatar,' their statement says, 'promises an unparalleled Olympic experience — a vibrant, inclusive platform that welcomes diverse cultures and backgrounds.' India, in its pitch, has spoken about the 'vast cultural diversity' and the society being a 'mosaic of religions, including Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism.'
And while Qatar claims its bid aligns with the 'National Vision 2030', India has said the 2036 Olympics are in line with the country's 'Viksit Bharat 2047 Vision'.
Both haven't shied away from making bold claims to transform the respective nations' sporting ecosystem, shape the future and wield regional influence.
Qatar bank on 'readiness' of venues, hosting experience
They do not say it in as many words, but Qatar implies that they can host the Olympics now if it comes to that. Readiness, bolstered by the controversial yet successful 2022 FIFA World Cup, is their big bid plank.
On the infrastructure front, Qatar has claimed that '95 per cent of Olympic venues are already in place and tested at the highest level'. They dip into their previous hosting experience, underlining the 18 World Championships they have hosted in the last 20 years to promise a successful delivery of the Olympics. They hosted the Asian Games in 2006 and will hold them once again in 2030.
'With world-class venues already in place and tested, Doha 2036 shifts the focus from infrastructure development to delivering exceptional experiences and meaningful legacy from day one,' the Qatar Olympic Committee said in a statement.
In Ahmedabad, which was officially presented as the candidate city in a meeting with the IOC earlier this month, the pace of infrastructure building — being done from scratch — has increased rapidly in the last few months as the authorities begin work to construct the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Enclave, which is likely to be the major hub.
In its promise to deliver the Games seamlessly, India has bid — or is in the process of bidding — multiple international tournaments over the next few years to gain hosting experience. This includes the 2030 Commonwealth Games, which is almost certain to be held in Ahmedabad, the 2027 women's volleyball world championship and the 2028 World U20 Athletics Championships, among others. This year, Ahmedabad will host the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship and the Asian Swimming Championship.
Regional play
There's also a regional play in both bids.
Qatar has also reaffirmed that if it were to be awarded the 2036 Games, 'it would mark the first Olympic and Paralympic Games ever held in the Middle East and North Africa'. 'This milestone would allow Qatar to present a distinctive Arab model for the Games – one rooted in diversity and openness, built on a foundation of sustainable legacy and the power of sport to inspire hope and peace. It would also strengthen regional representation and showcase the potential of Arab youth on the global stage,' they said in a media release.
India, meanwhile, has said hosting the Olympics would speak of the 'aspirations of the Global South' and, in the letter of intent to the IOC, spoke about the 'transformative economic, social and cultural impact in wider SAARC nations in South Asia'.
Economy and diplomacy
Qatar is banking on its growing reputation of being a global diplomacy hub. In their pitch, the Gulf nation has said 'this bid is a natural extension of our diplomatic legacy, inviting the world to connect in an environment of peace and mutual respect.'
India, on the other hand, has impressed upon the IOC that it is the 'only major economy yet to host the Games.' 'And while we recognise that is not the sole reason to award a Games, it is a stark reflection of our region's need for the types of sport and social benefits that only the Olympic Games can provide,' the letter of intent stated.