In his Independence Day speech on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India is gearing up to bid for the 2036 Summer Olympics. Speaking from the Red Fort on the occasion of the 78th Independence Day, Modi highlighted India’s successful hosting of the G20 Summit as evidence of the country’s capability to manage large-scale events. He expressed a vision of having the Olympics take place on Indian soil, stating, “We dream that the 2036 Olympics will be hosted in India.”
PM Modi also noted that preparations are underway for this ambitious bid, and hinted that India will also seek to host the 2030 Youth Olympics. The Prime Minister’s speech was marked by the presence of the Indian team that competed in the recent Paris Olympics, as well as best wishes for the upcoming Paralympics participants.
French President Emmanuel Macron had earlier endorsed India’s bid, praising the country’s ability to handle such significant events. In a recent interview, Macron affirmed his confidence in India’s organizational capacity, stating, “I am a strong believer in your country and its potential to organize such events.”
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, India won a total of six medals—one silver and five bronze. Notable achievements included Neeraj Chopra’s silver in men’s javelin throw and Manu Bhaker’s historic double bronze in shooting. Other notable medalists were Swapnil Kusale, the first Indian to medal in the 50m rifle three-position event, Aman Sehrawat, the youngest Indian to win an Olympic medal in wrestling, and the Indian men’s hockey team, which secured a bronze for the second consecutive Olympics.
