‘Rising Together’: India unveils vision for 2036 Olympics and Paralympics bid

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha

NEW DELHI: India has unveiled “Rising Together” as the vision for its bid to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha confirming that the country's first project presentation to the IOC's Future Host Commission will take place at the end of November.India is among seven countries currently in discussions with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over hosting the 2036 Games, alongside Germany, Hungary, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, South Africa and Türkiye. The countries have been invited to present their respective Games projects to the Future Host Commission in November, according to the IOC.Ahmedabad is India's proposed host city, with the country having submitted its Expression of Interest to host the Games in 2024.

‘Rising Together’ at heart of India's vision

Mandaviya said India's Olympic ambition is built around using sport as a catalyst for a broader transformation of the country.“India's ambition for 2036 is rooted in a simple idea: that sport can help shape the future of our nation. Hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games would inspire millions of young Indians to participate in sport, strengthen healthier and more active communities, and create new opportunities for our youth across education, employment and social development,” Mandaviya said in a release issued by the IOA.

Usha said the IOA was honoured by the IOC's recognition of India's aspirations and described “Rising Together” as more than a slogan.“For us, 'Rising Together' is not simply a slogan -- it is a powerful commitment to unite India's energy, ambition and diversity behind a shared Olympic dream,” Usha said.“As we develop our vision for 2036, we want to create a Games that reflects the confidence of a young, dynamic and rising India, while contributing to the Olympic and Paralympic Movements’ ambition to reach new generations, new communities and new horizons around the world.”She added: “We look forward to continuing our exchange with the IOC and to present our ambition to the Future Host Commission for the first time at the end of November.”

IOC to assess legacy and athlete experience

The IOC's revamped selection process will assess the prospective hosts on technical factors including venue master plans and athlete experience, funding strategies, political and public support, Games delivery capabilities and legacy plans aimed at creating long-term benefits for host communities.The IOA said the “Rising Together” vision reflects its belief that hosting the Games could become a catalyst for India's sporting transformation.“For India, hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games would be a generational opportunity to place sport at the heart of national life,” the IOA said.

“The project is designed to act as a catalyst for a wider sporting transformation: inspiring millions of young people to move from watching sport to practising it, supporting healthier and more active communities, and making sport a driver of education and professional opportunities,” it added.The IOC will shortlist interested parties in March 2027, after which selected projects will advance to Strategic Dialogue. Preferred hosts are expected to enter Targeted Dialogue in 2028, with the final host to be elected by IOC members in mid-2029.