Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially announced India's bid to host the 2036 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games at the opening ceremony of the 141st IOC Plenary Session in Mumbai. Modi said it was a "long-standing dream" for India and the aspiration of 1.4 billion Indians. He said that India will spare no effort to promote the bid and hopes to get the support and cooperation of the IOC.
India is one of the most populous countries in the world and a sports powerhouse with numerous sports and athletes. India's history at the Olympics dates back to 1900, when Norman Pritchard represented India at the Paris Olympics, winning two silver medals and becoming India's first Olympic medallist. Since then, India has won a total of 28 medals at the Olympics, including nine gold, seven silver and 12 bronze medals. India's best result at the Olympics was London 2012, with six medals, including two silver and four bronze.
Cricket is the most popular sport in India, and the Indian cricket team is one of the strongest teams in the world, having won the World Cup several times. In addition, India also excels in hockey, shooting, badminton, wrestling, boxing and other sportsIndia's sports stars include cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, hockey player Dhyan Chand, shooter Abhin** Bindra, badminton player Saina Nehwal, wrestler Sangeeta Kham. Sakshi Malik, boxer Mary Kom, etc.
India's sports industry has developed rapidly in recent years, and India** and all sectors of society have given attention and support to sports. India** has formulated a series of sports policies and programmes aimed at improving the level of sports, nurturing sports talents, popularizing sports, promoting the sports industry and enhancing sports culture. All sectors of Indian society have also actively participated in and invested in sports, providing resources such as funds, facilities, technology, and talents for sports. In addition to international events such as the Olympic Games, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games, there are also domestic events such as the Indian Premier League (IPL), Indian Premier League (ISL), and Indian Premier League (PKL), which have attracted a large number of spectators and attention.
India's bid to host the Olympics is not a whim, but has been brewed and prepared for a long time. India began exploring a bid to host the Olympics back in 2003, when Indian Olympic Committee president Suresh Kalmadi said India could afford to host the Games in 2020 or 2024. In 2007, India successfully bid to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the largest international sporting event in India's history and a litmus test for India's bid to host the Olympic Games. In 2010, India's sports minister, Ms Gill, said India would bid for the Olympics in 2016 or 2020. In 2012, Raja Singh Randhawa, president of the Indian Olympic Committee, said India would bid for the Olympics in 2024. In 2016, Indian Olympic Committee President Narayana Ramachandran said India would bid for the Olympics in 2032.
However, India's bid for the Olympics has not been smooth, and India faces many challenges and difficulties. First of all, India's infrastructure and service level need to be improved, and India needs to build and improve more stadiums, transportation networks, accommodation facilities, medical security, etc., to meet the requirements of the Olympic Games. Secondly, India's sports performance and level need to be improved, and India needs to train and select more elite athletes to improve their competitiveness and influence. Third, India's sports culture and atmosphere need to be improved, and India needs to enhance the awareness and participation of the whole people in sports, and improve the social status and value of sports. Fourth, India's sports management and governance need to be improved, and India needs to strengthen the planning and coordination of sports, and improve the efficiency and transparency of sports.