Indian Olympic Association President P. T. Usha has reaffirmed India's ambition to host the 2036 Olympic Games, expressing confidence that the country is steadily building the infrastructure, administrative capability, and sporting ecosystem required to stage one of the world's largest sporting events.
Speaking ahead of the Commonwealth Games 2026, Usha said India has made significant progress in developing sports infrastructure, supporting athletes, and strengthening its position in international sports. She emphasized that hosting the Olympic Games would represent an important milestone in India's sporting journey and would inspire future generations of athletes.
P. T. Usha, one of India's most celebrated track and field athletes, has played a significant role in Indian sports both as a competitor and an administrator. As the first woman to serve as President of the Indian Olympic Association, she has focused on athlete welfare, sports development, and improving India's performance in international competitions.
Reflecting on her journey, Usha said that her experience as an athlete has helped her understand the challenges faced by sportspersons at every stage of their careers. She stressed that creating better training facilities, improving coaching standards, and expanding access to quality sports infrastructure remain key priorities for the Indian Olympic Association.
India has formally expressed its interest in hosting the 2036 Olympic Games, with the proposal forming part of the country's broader strategy to expand its role in international sports. The bid aligns with efforts to strengthen sports governance, modernize facilities, and increase investment in athlete development across multiple disciplines.
According to Usha, hosting the Olympic Games would accelerate the growth of sports infrastructure across the country while creating opportunities for young athletes to compete at the highest level. She said such an event would also encourage greater public participation in sports and contribute to long term economic and tourism development.
Over the past decade, India has significantly increased investment in sports through initiatives focused on talent identification, high performance training, sports science, and international competition exposure. Programmes such as Target Olympic Podium Scheme and Khelo India have contributed to improving athlete preparation and supporting emerging talent.
India has also successfully hosted several major international sporting events, including world championships, continental competitions, and multi sport tournaments. These experiences have strengthened the country's capability to organize large scale events involving athletes and officials from around the world.
Sports experts believe that hosting the Olympic Games would require extensive planning, including the development of world class venues, transportation systems, accommodation facilities, security arrangements, and sustainable infrastructure. Coordination between national, state, and local authorities would play a crucial role in delivering such a project.
The International Olympic Committee follows a detailed evaluation process for selecting future Olympic hosts. Candidate countries are assessed on factors including infrastructure, financial planning, governance, sustainability, environmental considerations, public support, and long term legacy plans before a final decision is made.
Ahead of the Commonwealth Games 2026, Usha expressed confidence in the Indian contingent, stating that the Games provide an important opportunity for athletes to gain international experience and prepare for future global competitions, including the Olympic Games.
She also emphasized the importance of creating a strong sporting culture that encourages participation at the grassroots level. According to her, long term success in international competitions depends not only on elite athletes but also on a robust system that identifies and nurtures talent from a young age.
As India continues to pursue its Olympic ambitions, the vision of hosting the 2036 Games remains a major objective for the country's sporting leadership. P. T. Usha believes that with sustained investment, improved infrastructure, effective governance, and continued athlete development, India is well positioned to strengthen its standing in world sport and move closer to realizing its dream of hosting the Olympic Games.