India Eyes 2036 Olympics Bid as Macron Backs Nation’s Potential

French President Emmanuel Macron endorses India’s capability to host the 2036 Olympics. During an interview, he emphasized India’s fierce competitive spirit and future potential. Prime Minister Modi also voiced India’s intentions to host major sporting events, highlighting the nation’s growth in sports culture and society.

France’s President, Emmanuel Macron, has endorsed India’s potential to organize the 2036 Olympics, stating the nation has the capacity to host such significant events. Speaking to Jio Cinema, Macron expressed his confidence in India’s future. However, he highlighted the fierce competition involved in the bidding process.

“First of all, I am a strong believer in your country and the future of your country, especially your capacity to organize such events. I think this is a fierce competition. You should not underestimate that fact. I remember, seven years ago, when we went to Lausanne, we competed with the US - Los Angeles – and eventually reached an agreement. Competing is in itself a great preparation,” Macron remarked. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed India’s aspirations to host major sporting events, including the 2030 Youth Olympics and the 2036 Olympics.

During an interaction with the para-athletes contingent in Delhi, following a successful Para Asian Games in Hangzhou, PM Modi emphasized that the government's approach is “athlete-centric.” He noted India’s growth as a sporting nation. “We are evolving both as a sporting society and culture with immense self-confidence to move forward,” Modi stated.

India is making significant strides in multi-sporting events over recent years. Notably, during the last Asian Games and Para Asian Games in Hangzhou, the nation crossed the 100-medal mark for the first time, securing 107 and 111 medals respectively. India also secured 61 medals in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, although their best medal tally remains the 101 medals won at home in 2010.

In contrast, at the Paris Olympics, India finished in the 71st position in the medals tally, while the United States topped the chart with a total of 126 medals. (ANI)