Ahmedabad Olympics bid: How city can walk the talk with International Olympic Committee
The Gujarat government, in a statement, said: 'The discussions provided a platform for the Indian delegation to articulate their vision for hosting a future edition of the Olympic Games in Ahmedabad. They gained invaluable insights from the IOC regarding the requirements for the Olympic Games and its ambitions for the future of the Olympic movement.''The IOC has very well laid out procedures and the new team wants to make the future host selection process more transparent and participative,' the official said. 'We are in the process of understanding the nuances of their requirements so that our pitch addresses their concerns effectively. The IOC's future host commission is also helping us navigate this process.'advertisementQatar, Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) and South Africa are considered the closest competitors to India's bid, given the readiness of their sports infrastructure and economic stability. Gujarat will now start reaching out to other countries who are not bidding to host the future editions but have a say in the selection process.'India's engagement with the Olympic movement is at a transformative moment, one that goes beyond competitive sports to embrace the true spirit of Olympics, which is promoting peace, education and cultural exchange through sports. The Olympic Games in India would not just be a spectacular event but one of generational impact for all Indians,' said Usha.Ahmedabad intends to host most of the sports at the Sardar Patel Sports Enclave, which houses the country's largest Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Motera on the banks of Sabarmati river. Officials confide that discussions are underway to host events such as mountain biking in Uttarakhand, canoeing slalom in Bhopal and surfing and sailing in Goa. 'We are still putting together a plan that is practical and economically sustainable, not only for the Olympics but for the youth of the country to utilise before and after the games,' said an official, requesting anonymity.The next meeting with IOC, possibly with a more detailed plan, is expected in October.advertisementBuilding local support for the games is one of the key requirements, and to this end, the Gujarat government is investing heavily on creating sports infrastructure to foster a sports fervour in the state. To make the most of the additional infrastructure, the city will be hosting multiple international games. A week ago, the hosting rights of the 2029 World Police and Fire Games was awarded to Ahmedabad. This event will host over 10,000 athletes from more than 70 countries, representing police, fire, customs and correctional services. State officials have expressed confidence that the hosting rights for the 2030 Commonwealth Games will also likely land here.With a massive boost for sports infrastructure and air and land connectivity, along with an overall upscaling of the state's economy, Gujarat is aiming to emerge as a 'global sports superpower' in the foreseeable future. The Summer Olympics, if it comes Ahmedabad's way, will be a shining symbol of it.Subscribe to India Today Magazine- EndsMust Watch
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