Daijiworld Media Network- Lausanne

Lausanne, Jun 27: India’s ambitious bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games has hit a temporary roadblock, as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced a pause on the bidding process to reassess the timing and method of selecting future host cities.

In her first press conference as the new President of the IOC, Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry—also the first woman and African to hold the position—revealed that there was "overwhelming support" from IOC members to halt the process and establish a working group to review the host city election framework.

“There was an overwhelming support from the IOC members for a pause to be done and a review of the future host election process,” said the 41-year-old Olympic champion swimmer after chairing her first executive board meeting in Lausanne. “This is to allow more member engagement and to decide when would be the most effective time to elect the next host.”

India, which formally submitted its Letter of Intent to host the 2036 Olympics in October last year, was among the leading contenders. A high-level Indian delegation led by Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao is set to visit Lausanne for informal discussions next week. Coventry confirmed that the delegation’s visit would go ahead as planned.

“We want all interested parties to be part of this pause-and-reflect phase. The Indian delegation will be among the first from whom we’ll seek inputs,” she said, adding that while the overall selection process is paused, dialogues with interested countries would continue.

The IOC is now re-evaluating its entire approach, particularly in light of recent experiences with hosts like the French Alps (2030 Winter Games), Los Angeles (2028), and Brisbane (2032). Coventry noted that the short lead-up time for the French Alps raised concerns about planning, execution, and stakeholder readiness.

“There was also discussion on whether the current timelines are fair and realistic. The review will help ensure we don’t overburden stakeholders and create a more inclusive and efficient process,” she added.

Coventry also acknowledged the underrepresentation of the Global South—including Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and Latin America—in the history of Olympic host cities. “My role is to ensure that the process is inclusive and gives a fair chance to countries that have the potential but haven’t had the opportunity,” she said.

While India's Olympic dream may now be deferred, officials remain optimistic. Sources in the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) indicated that the country would continue lobbying and refining its proposal during this period of pause.

For now, the world will have to wait longer to see whether the Olympic flame will one day shine over Indian soil — but the spirit of the bid, and the country's aspiration, remain very much alive.