How much longer for India's Olympic dream? IOC changes selection process; timeline becomes clear

The wait for the final verdict on India's ambition to host the 2026 Olympics will be stretched at least till 2029 after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) revamped its selection process. The IOC approved the addition of a Strategic Dialogue phase in the host selection process during their 146th Session in Lausanne on Wednesday.

The IOC’s Future Host Commission chair proposed the introduction of the new phase and it was duly approved by the gathering through a vote.

India's Olympic dream enters waiting game

IOC says the Strategic Dialogue phase will lead to “greater transparency and cost control”.

“Potential hosts wanted greater clarity. All stakeholders wanted greater transparency,” IOC said, adding that the aim is to announce the 2036 host by the middle of 2029.

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“Interested Parties will be shortlisted for ‘Strategic Dialogue’ in March 2027 and will have to answer the Future Host Questionnaire and submit core financial guarantees before being considered for the final evaluation stage, known as Targeted Dialogue,” the IOC later stated.

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The final decision will take place through an election at an IOC Session in mid-2029.

Meanwhile, India has already begun preparations for the Olympics, with infrastructure work taking place across Ahmedabad–Gandhinagar, which is expected to host the Summer Games if India wins the bid.

The planned venues for a potential Olympics include the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave, an aquatic centre, a tennis centre, a football stadium, and multi-purpose arenas.

At the same time, India is also hosting multilateral events, such as the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad and the 2028 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Bhubaneswar, while also aiming to host the World Athletics Championships in 2029 to strengthen its case.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also repeatedly reiterated India's commitment to host the 2036 Olympics.

"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 earlier this year.