Olympics
India has ‘strong case’ in Olympics bid: Sebastian Coe
The IOC presidential contender advised India to keep trying if it does not secure the hosting rights for the 2036 Games.
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe with Indian sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya in New Delhi on November 25, 2024. (Photo credit: X/@mansukhmandviya)
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) president’s post contender, Sebastian Coe, feels India has a “strong case” in a bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games, but the competition will be tough with several other countries throwing their hats in the ring.
India has already submitted a ‘Letter of Intent’ to host the 2036 Olympics and Paralympic Games to the IOC’s Future Host Commission, taking the first step after months of informal dialogue with the global sport’s apex body.
“Well, you won’t be surprised, given my background, to say that I’m obviously very happy that India is committed to global sport and particularly the Olympic movement. I’m very happy to hear that.
“And look, it will be very competitive. It won’t be the only bidder, but the case that it (India) can make is a very strong case,” Coe told PTI in an interview.
Poland, Indonesia, South Africa, Qatar, Hungary, Turkey, Mexico, and Egypt have also expressed their desires to host the Games.
The 2036 Games host nation will not be known before 2026. But it is certain that the host will be chosen during the presidency of the winner of the March 20 election of the new IOC chief.
Coe, whose maternal grandfather is an Indian from Punjab, is considered the frontrunner among the seven candidates contesting for elections to succeed Thomas Bach as IOC president.
The 68-year-old Coe, a double Olympic 1500m gold medalist, advised India not to end its ambition to organize the Olympics if it does not get the 2036 Games hosting rights.
“Plenty of cities have bid and lost and come back. Interestingly, when London won in 2005 (for the 2012 edition), it defeated Paris. We all have just been to the Paris Olympic Games (in 2024),” said the Briton.
“So it is by no means the end of the story. And even the legacy from bidding is an extremely strong legacy.” More than 100 members of the IOC will vote on March 20 in the Greek resort of Costa Navarino, where the 144th IOC Session will be held from March 18 to 21.
Besides Coe, Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan, David Lappartient of France, Johan Eliasch of Sweden, Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr of Spain, Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe, and Morinari Watanabe of Japan are other candidates for the post.
