India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games entered a new phase on Wednesday when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved changes to its host selection process, setting a timeline under which the final host will be chosen in mid-2029.

At the 146th session of the IOC in Lausanne, Members approved the introduction of a new “Strategic Dialogue” phase between the existing Continuing Dialogue and Targeted Dialogue phases. The move aims to make the selection process more transparent, while requiring potential hosts to provide strong financial and operational assurances earlier in the bidding cycle.

For India, which formally entered the race for the 2036 Games after submitting its letter of intent in 2024This decision provides more clarity on the path forward but also adds another layer of scrutiny before the host is selected.

Under the revised process, countries currently engaged in continuing negotiations with the IOC will be evaluated next year before a short list of interested parties is drawn up in March 2027. Those selected will then move to the strategic negotiation stage, where they must submit answers to the future host questionnaire and provide key financial guarantees.

Future Host Commission President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic said the additional step was introduced following feedback from both IOC members and potential host countries.

“Potential hosts wanted more clarity. All stakeholders wanted more transparency,” he said, outlining the updated framework.

important years ahead

The strategic dialogue stage is expected to become an important checkpoint in the run-up to the 2036 Olympics. Candidate cities will be assessed on financial commitments, cost-control measures, governance structures and their ability to deliver places and infrastructure within the stipulated timelines.

The IOC will also conduct site visits before deciding which bids will advance to the final stage of the process.

India is widely considered one of the leading contenders for the 2036 Games, with Ahmedabad emerging as the centerpiece of its proposal. However, the country’s bid is expected to face stiff competition, particularly from Qatar, while Türkiye and South Africa are also exploring campaigns for the Games.

The final targeted dialogue phase will begin in 2028, with preferred hosts required to submit a full set of legal and financial guarantees before a final decision can be made by the IOC.

Hosting will be decided in 2029

According to the timeline presented at the IOC session, the Future Host Commission will submit its recommendations after the completion of the targeted negotiation process. The IOC Executive Board will then identify preferred hosts, whose names will be put forward for election at the IOC Session in mid-2029.

This is what the decision effectively means India’s Olympic ambitions The decision will be taken over the next three years before a final decision is made.

The host selection process was halted last year after IOC President Kirsty Coventry called for wider consultation with member states and potential hosts. The inclusion of a strategic dialogue stage is intended to address those concerns, while also ensuring that only bids with strong financial backing and realistic delivery plans advance to the final stage.

For India, the approval of the new structure marks the beginning of what could be the most important step towards hosting the Olympic Games for the first time.

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