Khadse: 2036 Olympics a “win-win for all”
The idea of India hosting the 2036 Games is not merely about submitting a bid, but rather represents a transformative project in terms of infrastructure, economic challenges, and social issues, said the Asian country’s Minister for Sports this week in an exclusive interview with Press Trust of India
Raksha Khadse argued in her statements to the news agency that the government’s commitment to hosting the Olympic event entails a logistical challenge and a far-reaching tool for change. “Preparing to host events like the 2036 Olympics or the 2030 Commonwealth Games is about creating world-class infrastructure, economic investment, and legacy systems that directly benefit athlete development,” she said from her office.
The minister, who represents the Raver constituency in Maharashtra and is serving her third term as a member of parliament, did not shy away from criticism from those who believe the country should focus first on improving its sporting performance. In response to that perception, Khadse argued that organising global events can be the necessary trigger to drive internal progress. “Sports is also a way to deal with so many issues such as depression and even drug addiction. And keeping all this in mind, when you bring an event like the Olympics to the country, it becomes a galvanising force even socially. It creates a fitness movement of its own and enhances the output of a nation. It’s a win-win for all,” she said with conviction.
A high-level Indian delegation will intensify its engagement with the International Olympic Committee from 30 June to 2 July, during a key visit to Lausanne in which representatives from the Ministry of Sports and the Indian Olympic Association will take part. The aim is to continue discussions around the efforts to host the 2036 Games and to move towards a solid and viable bid. This represents the most significant step to date in India’s campaign, officially launched last October.
Khadse also emphasised the symbolic dimension of this objective. In her view, enabling India to host an Olympic Games would also send a message to the world, a declaration of institutional maturity and organisational capability. But the gesture, she explained, would also have a powerful internal effect. “There is no denying that by hosting an Olympics, we will make a statement. It’s a sign that you are a developed country. But at the same time, it also gives the youth an opportunity to take the lead as nation-builders.”
In the interview with Press Trust of India, the minister highlighted that one of the immediate effects of the government’s approach is already visible. This refers to the renovation of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which is being fitted with a MondoTrack surface, currently considered the world’s most advanced for athletics competitions. The reason for this upgrade is the upcoming World Para Athletics Championships to be held in Delhi. “We are ensuring that every rupee spent has a long-term multiplier impact,” she pointed out.
The possibility that the Olympic project might require multi-billion investments does not appear to deter the government. Although recent precedents are considerable, Paris 2024 will exceed $9 billion (€7.8bn) and Los Angeles 2028 is expected to reach around $7bn (€6.08bn), the sports minister believes that proper planning can turn such spending into a useful legacy for future generations.
However, achieving this will require a coordinated administrative environment, and in this regard, India still shows certain weaknesses. Internal disputes among sports federations, which sometimes end up in court, have historically undermined elite sports development. Khadse is aware of this challenge and advocates for more harmonious collaboration among stakeholders. “There should not be politics and athletes should be the focus, their growth should be priority. The federations should have their autonomy but there should also be greater harmony between national sports federations and the ministry.”
That idea of coordination is, for the minister, an essential condition if the country wants to present a credible bid to the IOC. “It is very important to achieve this given that we are aiming to host the 2036 Olympics. It would require a cohesive approach. The ministry, NSFs and the IOA cannot pull in different directions, their goal has to align,” she added.
Tensions between the Ministry of Sports and the IOA have been frequent, especially regarding the debate over the supervision of federations. The proposal to create a regulatory body was rejected by IOA President P. T. Usha on the grounds that it could be seen as governmental interference. Khadse, however, insists on dialogue. “Mansukh bhai has spoken to all NSFs, and tried to understand their difficulties and issues. We are also working towards reducing litigation so that administration does not suffer. Our aim is to ensure that athletes get the best. The ministry is guiding the NSFs on this goal and they are responding positively to it.”
Beyond infrastructure and governance, another critical front remains: doping. India is among the countries with the highest number of cases and, although controls and education around the issue have been reinforced, the problem persists. The minister rejects excessive penalisation, especially when it concerns young or developing athletes. “Agreed that those doing it at the elite level are probably aware of the various aspects of doping but those who are at a much junior level or have not reached the elite level are not as aware. They buy things without realising the consequences or on the advice of coaches,” she explained.
Regarding the anti-doping law passed in 2022, Khadse stressed that it grants the National Anti-Doping Agency authority and tools comparable to those of law enforcement bodies, and that a more preventive and educational strategy will now be pursued. “The recently amended National Anti-Doping Act, 2022 already empowers the National Anti-Doping Agency with legal authority and investigative powers similar to law enforcement bodies,” she stated. To this, she added that “We want to start Compulsory Anti-Doping Education for athletes, coaches, and parents as well as randomised testing at State and Junior Levels. Those who facilitate drugs or doping to minors should be penalised under a strict law.”
Looking ahead to 2036, the Indian government does not view the Games as an end in themselves, but as a means, an instrument to reshape the present and, above all, to build a new generation that finds in sport a source of identity, development, and future. The Olympic bid, according to Khadse and as reported by Press Trust of India, seeks something deeper than an opening ceremony: it aims to leave a lasting legacy on 21st-century India.