India’s ambition to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games has encountered fresh competition, with Berlin officially entering the bidding process. The German capital, which hosted the 1936 Olympics, has submitted its proposal to the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), intensifying the race for the prestigious event.
India’s Bid:
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India submitted its Letter of Intent on October 1, 2024, marking its formal entry into the bidding process.
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Ahmedabad is being considered as the front-runner host city, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing strong support for the bid.
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Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha and IOC member Nita Ambani are actively lobbying for India’s bid.
Berlin’s Entry:
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Berlin’s bid, titled “Berlin+”, is backed by four German states—Brandenburg, Saxony, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Schleswig-Holstein.
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The bid will be presented to the DOSB before the end-of-month deadline, with Germany remaining open to hosting the 2040 or 2044 Olympics instead.
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Berlin last hosted the Olympics in 1936, an edition infamous for its association with the Nazi regime.
Global Competition:
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Other countries expressing interest in hosting the 2036 Olympics include Poland, Indonesia, South Africa, Qatar, Hungary, Turkey, Mexico, and Egypt.
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The IOC’s Future Host Commission will assess bids before making a final selection.
Strategic Outlook:
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India’s delegation will travel to IOC headquarters in Lausanne for discussions on June 30–July 2, 2025.
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The bid process will continue until autumn 2026, when the IOC will finalize the host city selection.
India’s bid remains strong, but with Berlin’s entry, the competition has intensified. The next few months will be crucial in determining whether India secures the historic opportunity to host the Olympic Games for the first time.
Source: Times Now, Sportstar, MSN.