Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is confident his country is ready to host the Olympic Games. - Reuters Photo
BERLIN (dpa): India will leave "no stone unturned" in its efforts to organize the 2036 Olympics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday, confirming his country's intention to make a bid to host the Games.
Modi was addressing the opening ceremony of the 141st session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Mumbai.
Hosting the Olympics is a long-cherished dream for India, Modi said.
He expressed confidence that he would receive the support of the IOC. Modi also signalled India's interest in hosting the 2029 Youth Olympic Games.
The next Summer Games will be held in Paris in 2024. In 2028, Los Angeles will host, and Brisbane in Australia has been selected for 2032. According to the IOC, there are already a number of interested parties for the Games after that.
On the agenda of the three-day IOC session in the Indian metropolis is the decision on the possibility of a double award of the 2030 and 2034 Winter Games.
India, the world's most populous country and a growing economic power, is seen has having a good chance of success with the governing body of the Olympics.
With the inclusion of cricket, which is enormously popular especially in India, in the Olympic programme for 2028, the IOC has already demonstrated its increased focus on South Asia. - dpa
