By Zainab Shafiq 
India’s dream of hosting the 2036 Olympic Games in Ahmedabad has suffered a major blow after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) raised significant concerns that put the brakes on any immediate progress. Despite India’s strategic backing of the LA 2028 Olympics—where cricket was added as a one-off event to appeal to Indian audiences—the IOC has made it clear that key structural issues must be resolved before discussions can move forward.
According to The Indian Express, a recent IOC meeting bluntly highlighted three major problems: ongoing governance troubles within the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), India’s worrying doping record, and poor performance on the global Olympic stage. These hurdles, the IOC says, must be addressed before India can be considered a serious contender to host the Games.
IOA’s Internal Crisis and Doping Record Raise Red Flags
At the heart of the matter is the Indian Olympic Association, which has faced sustained scrutiny over internal conflicts and alleged financial mismanagement. IOA President PT Usha has reportedly clashed with fellow members over leadership issues, with unpaid bills and bureaucratic inefficiencies compounding the problem. In fact, the IOC suspended financial support to the IOA last year due to governance failures.
A source familiar with the situation revealed, “It has been communicated very candidly that while India can continue preparing for its bid to host future Olympics, the country has to address these issues first. This was, in a nutshell, the big takeaway from this meeting.”
Compounding the problem is India’s ranking as one of the top countries for doping violations, according to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The IOC has expressed deep concern about the lack of progress in cleaning up India’s sports ecosystem.
Olympic Medal Tally Not Helping the Case
Performance is another critical factor. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, India managed just six medals, none of them gold, placing a disappointing 71st overall. For a nation with the world’s largest population, this track record severely undercuts its credibility as a future host.
Although India’s proposal to host the 2036 Games in Ahmedabad received early backing from some top IOC members, the optimism has now been replaced by caution. Until India can prove that it is capable of addressing governance reforms, improving its anti-doping mechanisms, and performing better at the Olympics, the IOC is unlikely to give its nod to any formal bid.
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