The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is in talks with the International Olympic Committee for a possible bid to host the 2036 Summer Games, said IOA President Narinder Batra on Saturday. Ahmedabad's Motera Stadium is the best venue for an opening ceremony, he added. The Motera stadium was renamed Narendra Modi Stadium by the Gujarat Cricket Association in February 2021. Batra was addressing an event organized by TransStadia, a city-based sports infrastructure firm.
"If someone asks me about the venue for the opening ceremony at present, then it is definitely going to be the Motera stadium. There is no stadium better suited to host the opening ceremony of the Olympics (in India). I can't say what will happen by 2036.... (but) I will be proposing Ahmedabad as the venue for the opening ceremony," the IOA chief said.
"When you say opening ceremony, it means that athletics will also be played (at the same venue). And athletics is the biggest event (at the Olympics)," he said. He added that Olympic games can be hosted in 3-4 cities and that the IOA is in talks with the IOC about India's possible bid for 2036. The chances of getting the opportunity are bright, he noted.
"If we talk about the 2036 Olympics, then yes, we are already talking to the International Olympic Committee. Being the president of IOA, my discussions with the IOC happen on the subject....2036 Olympics will be finalized in two-three years, and we are currently discussing with IOC," he said.
The Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA) had recently called for proposals from consultants to conduct a gap analysis. The analysis is done to assess whether the infrastructure in the city is enough to hold the Olympics. After the new IOA president takes over in December after the IOA elections, a proper presentation will be prepared for India's bid. India is one amongst 6-7 contenders, Batra added.
"India has come on the world radar, and is heading towards becoming the third largest economy in the world. By 2036, it is going to be the second or third largest economy," he said.
Brisbane was awarded the 2032 games using the new bidding process adopted by the IOC for selecting the host city, Batra said. "You have to show them three-four centres, because now you can do it at multiple places, then you will show them the venues, new as well as the existing, and what are their legacy use. Motera Stadium has a legacy," he said.