India has made it a priority to get the 2030 Commonwealth Games awarded to them. This event will be a crucial inflection point in their bid to win the 2036 Olympics. The Indian Olympic Association has submitted an expression of interest in staging the 2030 Games, marking a significant step in its sporting ambitions. This comes as the country aspires to put on an impressive show for the "greatest show on earth" — the 2036 Olympics.
The 2022 Commonwealth Games, initially assigned to Durban, South Africa, were moved to Birmingham after Durban ran into its own budgetary woes. The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium was the venue for an exciting 12-day sporting festival in Birmingham. This extraordinary launch was matched by an equally exorbitant spectacle — a $6 billion price tag. India would be happy to host the centenary edition of the 2030 Games. The country is looking forward with enthusiasm to hosting this super-sized, global prestigious multi-sports gathering.
P.T. Usha, another Indian athletics legend, and currently the president of the Indian Olympic Association, was optimistic about India’s bid.
"We have sent an expression of interest and we are hopeful the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) will consider our proposal." – P.T. Usha
India previously demonstrated its capability to host large-scale international sporting events with the 2010 Commonwealth Games held in New Delhi. The hope is that the experience they’ll get from this event will enhance India’s bid for the 2030 Games.
The western city of Ahmedabad, in the state of Gujarat, lies at the center of India’s plans to host the 2036 Olympics. This new city would become crucial in the long road to bring the Olympics to India, if its bid is accepted. Meanwhile, Scotland's Glasgow is set to host a scaled-down version of the Commonwealth Games next year, following Victoria's withdrawal due to escalating costs.
