New Delhi: The fate of India’s bid for the 2036 Olympics will be known in mid-2029 following the approval for the addition of a Strategic Dialogue phase in the host selection process, during which the interested nations will have to provide core financial guarantees, among other requirements.
The decision was taken at the IOC’s 146th session in Lausanne on Wednesday, with the Future Host Commission chair, former Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, proposing the introduction of the new phase, which was approved by the member nations.
“Potential hosts wanted greater clarity. All stakeholders wanted greater transparency,” said Grabar-Kitrovic, adding that the aim is to announce the 2036 host by mid-2029. The IOC later stated that the interested nations will be shortlisted for a Strategic Dialogue in March 2027.
“Interested parties 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 stated.
The candidate cities will also be required to meet the criteria, which is related to cost control, and clear timelines for the completion of project milestones, among other major aspects. India submitted its Letter of Intent to host the 2036 Olympics in 2024 and has been in the Continuous Dialogue stage with the IOC since then.
‘Prospective hosts will need to submit a full set of guarantees’
The IOC’s Executive Board will shortlist Interested Parties from the Continuous Dialogue pool to enter the Strategic Dialogue process in 2027. India’s biggest competitor for the 2036 Olympics is Qatar, while Turkey and South Africa are also expected to bid.
“During this new transitional stage, they will be expected to provide an initial response to the Future Host Questionnaire and core financial guarantees,” the IOC stated.
The Future Host Commission will also visit the proposed host cities. After the Strategic Dialogue phase, the Targeted Dialogue will start in 2028.
“Preferred host will have to update their submission. They will also have to submit a full set of guarantees. The final decision on the host for the 2036 Games will be taken at the session in mid 2029,” Grabar-Kitarovic stated.
He further added that the prospective hosts will also need to submit a full set of guarantees, giving maximum legal and financial security. After the conclusion of the Targeted Dialogue, the IOC Member will receive a report from the Future Host Commission. Following this, the IOC Executive Board will identify the Preferred hosts and submit them to the IOC Session for election as the host of the 2036 Olympic Games.
“Throughout the process, there will be regular touch-points between the IOC membership, the Future Host Commission and the Interested Parties or Preferred Hosts. These will include presentations at IOC Sessions, and briefings at other times,” he added.
The Olympic host selection process was paused last year by IOC chief Kirsty Coventry, due to the need for greater dialogue with potential hosts following feedback from member nations.