Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India's intention to host the 2036 Olympics, pointing to recent reforms such as the National Sports Governance Act.
"The 2030 Commonwealth Games will be held in India, and the country is making strong efforts to host the 2036 Olympics, with the aim of giving more and more players greater opportunities to compete," Modi said.
In July last year, Indian officials visited the International Olympic Committee (IOC) headquarters in Lausanne to present Ahmedabad, Gujarat state's fast‑growing megacity, as the proposed host.
Ahmedabad and the neighboring capital Gandhinagar have outlined an Olympic plan with cost estimates ranging from $4.1 billion to $7.5 billion (€3.8–7.1 billion).
However, according to several media reports, the IOC flagged three major concerns during discussions. These included governance issues within the Indian Olympic Association, widespread doping violations and India's weak Olympic performances.
A final IOC decision is not expected before late 2027.
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Indian sports administrators and even athletes remain divided over whether the country is ready to host the world's biggest sporting event.
P. S. M. Chandran, a leading sports medicine and anti‑doping expert, believes that some of the challenges India faces are overstated.
"Pollution is not an issue since Ahmedabad — not Delhi — is bidding, and athletes can train elsewhere," Chandran, who has served as a team doctor for India at the Olympics and Asian Games, told DW.
As for doping, Chandran feels that the numbers are inflated because India tests more. He also feels that India's poor medal count matters least in bid evaluations.
"Ultimately, none of these concerns — pollution, doping, or medals — will determine the outcome. What matters most is money and influence in the bidding process," he said.
India has experience hosting major sporting events. The Asian Games were held in New Delhi in 1951 and 1982, and the capital also hosted the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Ahmedabad is slated to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
Shaji Prabhakaran, a football administrator and former general secretary of the All‑India Football Federation, said India must now project its capabilities globally.
"It is here that sports diplomacy matters. Qatar has also signaled interest, with infrastructure from the 2022 FIFA World Cup as a key selling point. It will be competitive," Prabhakaran told DW.
Competition for 2036 is already intense, with bids from Indonesia, Turkey, Chile, Saudi Arabia and others. Germany is also exploring bids for 2036, 2040 or 2044, with Munich, Cologne and Hamburg as potential hosts.
"If we don't make the cut in 2036, the 2040s seem more feasible," added Prabhakaran.
Renowned long jumper Anju Bobby George strongly supports India's bid, arguing the country now has the capacity to host the Games.
"We're no lesser claimants than Germany. We're ready," she said.
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George, a bronze medalist at the 2003 World Championships, highlighted grassroots talent programs and the National Sports Governance Bill as important steps.
The bill, passed last year, aims to regulate sports bodies, improve governance and ensure accountability. It established a National Sports Board to promote ethical practices and creates a National Sports Tribunal to resolve disputes.
Acknowledging doping issues, she urged federations to act decisively.
"Hosting the Olympics would elevate sports and the nation alike, with national pride on the line," she told DW.
Citing issues such as pollution and a lack of infrastructure, veteran sports journalist Sharda Ugra urged caution.
"Ahmedabad's air this morning is showing an Air Quality Index of 175 in the unhealthy category. This will be noticed around the world," she told DW. "When you bid for an Olympics, everything is open to scrutiny."
She sees Ahmedabad as a city that is modernizing but is not yet ready for the global stage.
"Every Olympic city has been a well‑known, modern global city, which the German candidates are. Ahmedabad is trying to be a modern city and the next decade needs to show proof of that," she said.
Given India's scale and the diverse challenges across sport, infrastructure and environment, Urga believes the 2040s are more realistic.
"India must first host multiple world championships to demonstrate credibility," she said.
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