Racing to ‘36:  India’s Olympic pursuit beyond medals

In the electrifying arena of global sports, India is sprinting toward a monumental goal: hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics. But, dear readers, this isn't just any sports saga; it's a high-stakes game of politics, budgets, and athletic dreams that's more riveting than a penalty shootout in the World Cup finals.

Sports are not just for winning medals; they are a medium to win hearts, and they belong to all for all. They not only prepare champions but also promote peace, progress, and wellness. Therefore, sports are another medium of uniting the world, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 141st session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

With the same zeal and commitment, India aspires to organize the 2036 Summer Olympics and has even expressed its willingness to host the 2029 Youth Olympics with the aim of gaining IOC’s confidence. India is not the only nation to showcase its interests, countries like Poland and Indonesia also do so. It is the dream and aspiration of 140 crore citizens of India to host the Olympics, claims Modi, but is it so? Can a nation, wrestling with hunger and lack, truly afford the grandeur of the Olympics? Does India really need more expenditure on such gallant events when it is already indebted to ₹800 crores of loans used to establish the world’s biggest stadium in Ahmedabad?

The answer to this question lies in India’s strategies to host the Olympics. Organising the Olympics would cost us billions of dollars and could lead to overrun costs, for which India has already shown world-class performance. Now that India is hoping to host the Olympics, it will have to allocate more money than ever to the sports organisations which it has already started. The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has nearly doubled its budgetary allocation from 2014–15 to 2023–24, reaching approximately ₹3,400 crore. But this increase in the budget does not always ensure equitable distribution. 

For instance, in the Asian Games 2023, the allocation of funds under India's Khelo India scheme became a contentious issue. Several states that contributed significantly to India's record-breaking medal tally, including Haryana, Punjab, and Maharashtra, received comparatively lower allocations. Strikingly, Gujarat, which failed to secure any medals, received the highest amount. This stark contrast has fuelled intense discussions about fairness and transparency in budgetary allocation. To ensure India wins the bid to host the Olympics, it will have to take many giant leaps in the field of sports in the following years, starting from correcting its mistakes of inequitable distribution in the Asian Games. This holistic approach promises to be the catalyst that would propel India to new heights in sports and international recognition.

Considering that Gujarat received the highest amount during budgetary allocation, it is a suitable candidate for hosting the Olympics. Gujarat, known for its modern infrastructure, strategic location, robust economy, and the impressive Narendra Modi Stadium, is a key player in India's Olympic aspirations. The stadium's top-notch facilities and massive capacity exemplify India's readiness for major sporting events, further boosting its Olympic bid.

Moreover, Gujarat's commitment to sustainable development and clean energy aligns with the global push for eco-friendly sports, making it an environmentally responsible choice. Additionally, ongoing infrastructure and stadium development in Gujarat offer the advantage of reducing athlete travel, ensuring a more focused and efficient experience for players during the Olympics. This aspect strengthens Gujarat's case as an ideal host for the Games.

Drawing from Qatar's experience during the construction boom for the FIFA World Cup, there looms the possibility that infrastructure development for major sporting events can lead to labour exploitation. Reports from Qatar shed light on the grim realities faced by migrant workers, who endured deplorable working and living conditions and often suffered from wage theft. As India pursues its Olympic aspirations, it is essential to take a proactive approach to prevent such exploitation. Robust labour laws, fair wages, safe working conditions, and access to social protections are vital components that must be in place. Ensuring these standards not only preserves the integrity of India's Olympic bid but also upholds ethical and humanitarian values on a global scale.

If India successfully achieves its targets of equitable budgetary allocation and learns from Qatar’s mistakes then we can proudly claim PM Modi’s words that India will leave no table unturned to host the Olympics in 2036. One may wonder after reading all this, why India is ready to go to such lengths to conduct the event. What will we gain after frittering away so much money?

First is the infrastructural development that comes along with the Olympics. The infrastructural development (sports and non-sport infrastructure), including stadiums and other sports facilities, transport, including railways and aviation, accommodation facilities, and other permanent urban infrastructure, experienced for the Olympics will stay with and outlast the games for many more decades to come. Secondly, it makes India the cynosure of the world. The ultimate beneficiaries of top-notch training facilities and athletic venues would be our athletes, giving groomed wings to their dreams and aspirations. Next, the influx of thousands of athletes, dignitaries, media, and fans into our nation will give the tourism sector a massive boost and could lead to fresh trade agreements. Several big companies would want to invest in our country. Many cities like Sydney, London, Rio, and Tokyo have already seen an uptick in tourism post the Olympic Games and this is exactly what we are hoping for India as well.

Hosting the Olympics is akin to planning an extravagant family reunion, requiring a colossal budget. However, fiscal prudence is key; budget allocation entails a complex dance that covers infrastructure, security, marketing, athlete development, contingencies, and environmental responsibility. To prevent extravagance; transparency and independent oversight act as vigilant financial guardians, ensuring that every rupee is wisely spent. To ensure this judicious use of money, an oversight committee must be formed, serving as the unsung hero, preventing budgetary excesses and fiscal mismanagement, much like a diligent financial watchdog.

The 2036 summer Olympics in India sounds like a fantastic idea, doesn't it? But like most grand ideas, India's bid to bring the Games to the subcontinent isn't without a dose of politics and a game of budgetary Tetris. Let's face it, politicians love nothing more than the chance to shine on the world stage. In the 2010 Commonwealth Games, our politicians exhibited their prowess in a unique event: the "Political Relay Race." They excelled at passing the blame from one department to another faster than any sprinter, leaving the actual athletes to navigate the obstacle course of incomplete stadiums and collapsing infrastructure. But today’s India is not the India of the past, so the question arises: whether this newly emerged BHARAT will write a different history? 

So here we stand, on the precipice of possibility, where India's Olympic dreams hang in the balance. Will it be a tale of triumph, a narrative etched in gold, or a story of noble aspirations grounded by harsh realities? The answer, much like the climax of a nail-biting cricket match, is uncertain, and the world watches, captivated, as the game unfolds. Will India score the winning run, or will it face a heart-wrenching defeat? Only time will tell in this epic saga of Olympic ambitions, financial acumen, and the undying spirit of a nation that refuses to be counted out.