India and Qatar in fierce battle to host the Olympics
Both Asian countries are gearing up for the Summer Games in a clash between experience and aspiration. While Doha boasts its financial resources and proven facilities, Ahmedabad points to a new project, exclusively for the event. The IOC is listening, and the clock is ticking.
India and Qatar have thrown their full institutional, political, and media weight behind securing the rights to host the 2036 sporting extravaganza as the International Olympic Committee decided long ago upon 2028, returning to familiar ground with Los Angeles, while 2032 will see the Olympic rings fly south to Brisbane.
2036 remains a blank space in Lausanne's agenda and both competing nations have launched big campaigns, showcasing not only their logistical credentials but also national narratives, socio-cultural evolution and sporting ambitions. Qatar, with a track record of hosting global spectacles, officially declared its candidacy in late July, as it unveiled a sleek campaign featuring polished videos and a universal message designed to resonate far beyond its critics.
On the other side, India, the most populous country on Earth with 1.4 billion inhabitants, has been quietly working on its bid for over two years. At its heart lies Ahmedabad, in the state of Gujarat, where preparations have quickened their pace, including plans for the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Olympic Enclave, the cornerstone of India's Olympic vision. The IOC has yet to open the formal bidding process, currently under review as part of reforms led by new President Kirsty Coventry. Behind the scenes, the major players have already laid their cards on the table, even if no aces are visible just yet.
While some other countries have the 'official candidate' label, they seem to be distancing themselves from the Asian heavyweights. Turkey, Indonesia, Hungary and Germany have also stepped up to the table. In the latter's case, figures such as German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) member Volker Bouffier have publicly ruled out the possibility of Europe being chosen this time around, despite the latest efforts; a stance that could, in turn, open the door to the world's biggest sporting event returning to Asia.
Of the 33 Summer Olympics held up to Paris 2024, only four have taken place in Asia —and solely in three nations: Tokyo (1964 and 2020), Seoul (1988), and Beijing (2008)—. In this scenario, India and Qatar could emerge as front-runners, each bringing radically different profiles.
Qatar, a tiny yet wealthy kingdom on the Arabian Peninsula, has already lost out on three bids—Brisbane 2032, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020, yet it believes the path ahead is now clearer. Its candidacy is spearheaded by royal figures Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, who have spent recent months deepening ties with international federations, such as the latter's presence at the 'Olympism365 Summit', where she delivered a powerful speech highlighting her country's potential; also a recent meeting with Fabio Azevedo, leader of the International Volleyball Federation. "Sport is a means to build a more united, tolerant, and harmonious world," declared the Qatar Olympic Committee in its opening statement.
Meanwhile, India's foreign policy has adopted a more restrained tone. Its letter of intent to Lausanne spoke of a desire to "encourage peace, friendship, and collective progress among all nations" and its campaign has received explicit backing from high-profile figures. Sebastian Coe, president of World Athletics stated months ago that he was 'very pleased' with the proposal and even revealed a personal connection: his maternal grandmother was Indian.
Still, not all is smooth sailing. Each vessel, in search of solid ground, also faces tempests in the form of criticism and weak points. According to The Indian Express, the IOC recently voiced concerns about three core issues: governance challenges within the Indian Olympic Association, high doping rates, and a modest international medal record. Add to that the simmering geopolitical tensions with neighbouring Pakistan—less acute but still present. "The conversation was candid," an unnamed senior official told the newspaper. "India remains in contention, but must address these issues first."
Qatar, for its part, holds a clear logistical advantage—its committee claims that 95% of venues are already built and have hosted international events. However, its human rights failures remains a lightning rod for vehement opposition as Amnesty International and other organisations argue that Qatar's track record undermines the Olympic values of dignity and peace. During the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the treatment of migrant workers came under intense scrutiny, with global investigations linking the construction boom to over 6,500 deaths. Hassan Al Thawadi, head of the organising committee at the time, admitted in an interview with the British channel TalkTV's 'Uncensored' programme on the eve of the event, that there was 'room for improvement.'
Criticism wasn't limited to labour issues, though, as LGBTQ+ groups and feminist organisations lambasted the country's laws and restrictions, painting a picture of a host nation out of step with the ethical standards the IOC claims to uphold.
Nonetheless, both candidates present compelling strengths: Qatar aligns its bid with its 'National Vision 2030,' a sweeping blueprint for economic and social transformation while India positions its Olympic ambition within 'Viksit Bharat 2047,' marking the centenary of its independence. Both see the Games as a catalyst for change, domestically and on the global stage.
The geopolitical stakes are hard to ignore and Qatar frames its candidacy as a natural extension of its diplomatic legacy—a regional hub for peace talks and worldwide negotiations. "This bid invites the world to connect in an atmosphere of peace and mutual respect," its committee stated. India, by contrast, points to its status as the only major economy never to host the Olympics—an omission it hopes to remedy while spotlighting a region deeply passionate about sport.
On past performance, Qatar has an impressive logistical résumé with the production of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, albeit tainted with reports of inumane labour conditions, the 2019 World Athletics Championships, the 2015 Handball World Championship, the 2024 Aquatics World Championships, the 2006 Asian Games, and a repeat edition in 2030. Its pitch is clear: ready-made venues, proven delivery, and a legacy-first approach. "Doha 2036 shifts the focus from construction to delivering unforgettable experiences and long-term impact," reads one of its campaign messages.
Doha and Ahmedabad: Two visions, one Olympic goal. GETTY IMAGES
India, aware it must still earn its stripes, has begun lining up major events to demonstrate its capacity. This year alone, Ahmedabad will stage both the Asian Swimming Championships and the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships. Also on the horizon: the 2030 Commonwealth Games that will gather the 56 member states—the vast majority of which are former territories of the British Empire from which it developed; the 2027 Women's Volleyball World Championship; and the 2028 World Athletics U20 Championships. Indeed, an ambitious schedule designed to showcase Bharat's as a dependable host.
Meanwhile, the IOC watches, weighs, and waits. There's no official timeline for the 2036 decision, and the committee remains in a phase of introspection. But one thing is certain: India and Qatar are vying with unmistakable intent to win the trust, and the vote, of the movement. For now, it's a contest where numbers, values, geopolitics, and groundwork matter just as much as gold medals. A hushed but profound duel that might rewrite the cartography of Olympic futures—and sketch new constellations in the firmament of global competition.