Could India's 2036 Olympics dream become a nightmare?

Some question returns on hefty investment and warn of post-event economic woes

- Debarshi Dasgupta

Both 1982 and 2010 were seminal years in India's sporting history, marked by the hosting of the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games, respectively, with each leaving an enduring legacy.

Now, as India formally begins its bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games, some are questioning what kind of turning point this could be for a country where cricket still dominates attention and resources, while other sports are chronically underfunded.

India has submitted a Letter of Intent to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games, former athlete and Indian Olympic Association president P.T. Usha announced on Nov 5 on X.

The move is only the first step in a long and competitive bidding process that will pit India against others in the race such as Indonesia, Chile and Turkey. A final decision is expected after 2025.

According to a Nov 8 report in The Indian Express, India's letter to the IOC portrays the Games as a "critical catalyst for India's continued rise on the global stage".

The letter notes that India is the "only major economy yet to host the Games", describing it as "a stark reflection of our region's need for the types of sport and social benefits that only the Olympic Games can provide".

No city has yet been identified as the potential host, but many expect Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar - two cities near each other in the western state of Gujarat - to be the front runners. Gujarat is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state.

One of the world's largest stadiums, the Narendra Modi Stadium which can accommodate more than 130,000 people - is situated in Ahmedabad. In anticipation of the 2036 Summer Olympic Games, the Gujarat government has already earmarked a 60 billion rupee (S$957.8 million) budget to build six sports complexes in the Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar area.