Sportstar Focus Bihar Conclave | In terms of hosting capabilities, we can do an excellent job: Adille Sumariwalla

Raghuram Iyer, CEO of the Indian Olympic Association, on Sunday named the six other countries that are presently interested in hosting the 2036 Olympics during the Sportstar Conclave — Focus Bihar.

“We were recently in a meeting with potential future hosts. There are six others who are in the fray. I can name the ones in the meeting room. The countries are Chile, Turkey, Qatar, South Korea, and Hungary. Germany was also present. The Olympics is looking to make an impact. It resonates with their story. It’s too early to know whether we are in pole position or not, but we are definitely in the race,” he said.

Adille Sumariwalla, Vice-President, World Athletics, stressed that there are a number of factors that need to be accounted for before India can go full-throttle on its push to host the Summer Games.

“They are looking at temperatures, air quality, sustainability, and legacy. Also, is this actually going to give a boost to the nation? Is your medal count going to improve? You need 40,000 volunteers. Where are they? Are you going to do it all in one place where the weather is too hot, or will you shift to somewhere where it is a bit more pleasant? All these need answers,” Sumariwalla said.

He, however, clarified that the country, purely in terms of hosting capabilities, can do an excellent job.

“This is a misnomer that we don’t host events properly. Okay, badminton was an aberration. I can tell you that the Commonwealth Games that we organised in India were the best. I have been to at least half a dozen of them. The food, the accommodation, the transport, the technical conduct, the hospitality, the airport, and the visas. Absolutely outstanding. In terms of delivery, there is no issue.”