Indian Olympic Association President P.T. Usha has reaffirmed India's ambition to host the 2036 Olympic Games, emphasizing the country's growing sporting ecosystem, expanding infrastructure, and commitment to developing world-class athletes. Speaking ahead of the upcoming Commonwealth Games, Usha said India is steadily working toward creating an environment capable of hosting one of the world's largest multi-sport events.
P.T. Usha, one of India's most celebrated athletes and the first woman to serve as President of the Indian Olympic Association, said that hosting the Olympic Games would represent an important milestone in the country's sporting journey. She highlighted the progress made in sports administration, athlete support, infrastructure development, and international event management over the past several years.
India has formally expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Olympic Games, reflecting the country's broader objective of strengthening its position in global sports. Hosting the Olympics requires extensive planning, including the development of sporting venues, transportation systems, accommodation facilities, security arrangements, environmental sustainability measures, and operational infrastructure that meet the standards set by the International Olympic Committee.
According to Usha, India's expanding investment in sports infrastructure has created a strong foundation for pursuing this long-term goal. The country has witnessed the construction and modernization of stadiums, training centres, sports science facilities, and high-performance academies aimed at supporting athletes across multiple disciplines.
She also highlighted the importance of nurturing young sporting talent through structured training programmes, improved coaching standards, sports medicine, nutrition support, and access to international competition. Developing athletes capable of competing successfully at the highest level remains a central objective of India's long-term sports strategy.
India's sporting achievements have grown steadily in recent years, with athletes producing notable performances in the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and various world championships. Success across disciplines including athletics, badminton, wrestling, boxing, shooting, weightlifting, hockey, and para sports has strengthened confidence in the country's sporting capabilities.
Hosting the Olympic Games would also have significant economic and social implications. Large-scale sporting events often generate investment in infrastructure, tourism, hospitality, transportation, and urban development while creating employment opportunities and encouraging greater public participation in sports. Many experts believe such events can leave a lasting legacy by improving public facilities and increasing interest in physical activity among young people.
However, organizing the Olympic Games also presents substantial challenges. Host nations must ensure financial sustainability, environmental responsibility, efficient project execution, and effective coordination among multiple government agencies and sporting organizations. International Olympic Committee evaluations typically assess technical readiness, governance standards, infrastructure capacity, and long-term legacy planning before awarding hosting rights.
P.T. Usha emphasized that India's Olympic ambitions extend beyond hosting the event itself. She noted that the broader objective is to build a stronger sporting culture that encourages participation at the grassroots level while creating opportunities for future generations of athletes to compete internationally.
The Indian Olympic Association continues working with national sports federations, government agencies, and other stakeholders to strengthen sports governance and improve athlete support systems. Collaboration among these organizations is considered essential for achieving India's long-term objectives in international sports.
As preparations continue for upcoming international competitions, including the Commonwealth Games, Indian sports authorities remain focused on enhancing athlete performance while pursuing the country's broader vision of becoming a leading global sporting nation. The aspiration to host the 2036 Olympic Games reflects India's growing confidence in its ability to organize major international sporting events and further strengthen its presence on the global sporting stage.