In just under a month, on November 26, India will know whether it will host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Ahmedabad has already received very good news by obtaining the recommendation of the executive board of Commonwealth Sport in his duel with Abuja. A very positive signal regarding the country's sporting vision, which also aims for the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The president of the Indian Olympic Association, PT Usha, takes stock of the country's immense ambition for Francs Jeux.
What are the main strengths of India's bid for 2036?
Our greatest strength lies in the fact that this bid reflects a national mission and a long-term commitment to the Olympic ideals. India is currently undergoing a complete transformation of its sporting landscape, guided by the vision and leadership of the national government. This transformation aims to position India as a leading sporting nation, both in terms of large-scale participation and elite performance.
Our goals are clearly defined: to be among the top ten nations in the Olympic medal standings by 2036 and enter the top five by our centenary in 2047. This ambition is underpinned by a sustained and systematic effort encompassing governance reform, infrastructure development, athlete support systems, and grassroots engagement across the country.
India's Olympic aspiration is therefore an integral part of this broader national transformation. It offers the Olympic Movement an opportunity to engage with a nation of 1,4 billion people, including over 600 million young people, on a journey of shared growth, inspiration, and excellence. We view this partnership as mutually enriching and in keeping with the values of the Olympic spirit.
The Indian government has unveiled an unprecedented budget for sports. How will this financial boost influence the 2036 bid?
The government's unprecedented financial commitment sends a clear signal: India is committed to transforming its sporting landscape and establishing itself among the world's leading sporting nations. The country's leaders are not only setting ambitious sporting goals, but are also investing resolutely to achieve them. While the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) will benefit from this investment, its real impact will be felt across the entire sporting ecosystem. From local academies to elite training centers, athletes will have access to world-class infrastructure, cutting-edge coaching, and enhanced competitive opportunities. National federations will also benefit from stronger systems, greater resources, and improved capabilities. In this context, our Olympic ambition for 2036 is both natural and achievable.
Do you really feel political support?
Absolutely. The political support behind India's sporting transformation is unequivocal and driven by the highest levels of government. This convergence of vision and commitment is one of the defining forces of our national project. The Prime Minister has personally and consistently championed the goal of transforming India into a global sporting superpower, making it a key pillar of the national strategy Viksit Bharat 2047.
The recently enacted National Sports Governance and Anti-Doping Acts, adopted following broad cross-party consensus, underscore the shared national commitment to strengthening our sporting framework. Meanwhile, state governments across the country, from Odisha to Gujarat to Mizoram, are actively implementing ambitious sports policies and infrastructure initiatives that are fully aligned with this collective vision.
This is truly a nation-wide commitment. Such comprehensive political unity ensures continuity, stability, and momentum—all of which will profoundly strengthen India's Olympic ambition for 2036. With this unwavering political support, India is poised to deliver not only exceptional Games but also a lasting legacy for world sport.
What events do you consider to be crucial steps on the road to the Olympic Games?
Our immediate priority is to secure Ahmedabad's bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Given the enduring importance of the Commonwealth to India and the symbolic significance of its centenary, we are deeply committed to staging exceptional and memorable Games. This will be a landmark, an opportunity to showcase India's organizational excellence and Ahmedabad's emergence as a leading sports hub.
Looking ahead, we are developing a comprehensive calendar of international events to be held in several Indian cities, including Ahmedabad. Announcements will be made in due course. This journey is already well underway. The recent and successful hosting of the World Para Athletics Championships, the largest in history, and the upcoming 2025 Asian Swimming Championships are prime examples. Each event provides a platform to test and refine our operational systems, enhance our organizational expertise, and demonstrate that India is not just an ambitious candidate, but a confident, capable, and experienced host, fully prepared to welcome the world in 2036.
We have officially submitted our formal Games proposal to Commonwealth Sport in London to host the centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games in 2030, in Ahmedabad.
— Team India (@WeAreTeamIndia) August 30, 2025
Our delegation presented the bid in London last evening, on National Sports Day.
Here's to a celebration of the… pic.twitter.com/dBszgmE8S8
The IOC recently fully restored funding to India. How decisive is this?
This is extremely important and, indeed, decisive. We see it as an unequivocal recognition of the governance reforms undertaken by India in the sports sector. The IOC specifically highlighted the reform of the Indian Olympic Association and the enactment of the National Sports Governance Act as crucial steps.
Beyond the restoration of funding, this decision represents a renewed confidence and a strengthened partnership with the IOC. It confirms that our reforms are recognized as credible and positions the IOA as a reliable and responsible partner within the Olympic Movement. For our athletes, this translates into tangible benefits: increased funding, structured development programs, and better opportunities to achieve their Olympic ambitions. Fundamentally, this step confirms that India is on the right path to achieving sporting excellence.
What feedback are you receiving within the Olympic movement regarding India's bid?
They are extremely positive and constructive. The world is ready for India to play a larger and more responsible role within the Olympic movement. Australia, which will host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, is a striking example. The Australian High Commissioner has publicly offered his support, highlighting India's "clear ambition" and "significant investment" in sport. This is not seen as a rivalry, but as the foundation of a strategic partnership between two of the Indo-Pacific's largest democracies, likely to shape a decade of Olympic interest for the entire region.
The FIVB recently launched a major schools volleyball program in India, explicitly stating its intention to “make India a hub of volleyball.” This reflects global recognition of India’s enormous potential as a hub for the development of the sport. We look forward to deepening these collaborations.
India remains a "small country" in sporting terms on the Olympic scene (six medals at Paris 2024, 71st nation in the ranking). If you want to host the Games competitively, don't you think 2036 will come too soon?
India's Olympic ambition is part of a structured, long-term plan, with clearly defined targets and the creation of state-of-the-art performance centers across the country. While our goals are ambitious, they reflect the spirit of a nation that is ambitious to its very core. India is the fastest-growing democracy and is poised to become the world's third-largest economy. With over 600 million young people and a comprehensive national sports strategy, we believe we can achieve transformational progress similar to that achieved by China between the mid-1990s and 2008. 2036 is not a moment too soon; it is an opportunity to showcase India's emerging capabilities on the world stage while accelerating the performance of our athletes to a world-class level.
Public distrust has recently hurt several Olympic bids. Is this a cause for concern in India?
No, we have no concerns. Sport is not considered an elitist activity, but a national priority and a career path accessible to all. Our vision positions sport as a key driver of national development, in line with India's centenary of independence. This vision is apolitical, inclusive, and broadly supported across society.
The recently launched Khelo Bharat Niti program exemplifies this approach. It is a comprehensive national policy aimed at strengthening our sports ecosystem. Beyond elite performance, this initiative uses sport to promote social inclusion, public health, education, and economic growth. In this context, sport is a unifying force for national progress, not a source of division.
