Congress leader Karti Chidambaram cautioned against India’s ambition to host the Olympics, calling it a potential “colossal disaster” for the country. The Lok Sabha member from Sivaganga argued that hosting the global multi-sport event would plunge the nation into significant financial debt and leave newly built infrastructure unused after the Olympics.
Chidambaram’s comments were in response to International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Nita Ambani’s statement at an event, where she expressed her enthusiasm for bringing the Olympics to India.
“Today, we gather here at the Paris Olympic Games 2024, to open the doors to a dream. A dream that belongs to 1.4 billion Indians. A dream to bring India to the Olympics, and our shared dream to bring the Olympics to India,” Ambani said. She added, “A nation, in its journey through time, reaches a tipping point. A point when it changes the course of its history. India has arrived. It is time that the flame that was first lit in Athens must light the skies of our ancient land India.”
Responding to Nita Ambani’s statement, Chidambaram posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Hosting the @olympics will be a colossal disaster for us as a country. We will be forced to build stadia which will be seldom used & the financial burden will drive us into a huge debt. It’s better to focus on supporting our sportspersons & give them the resources to train, travel & compete. Let’s make champions from India to start with.”
In October 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed that India would bid to host the 2036 Olympics. “India is very excited to organise an Olympics,” he said. “India will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to organise the 2036 Olympics. It’s a dream of 140 crore Indians. With the support of IOC, we would want to fulfil this dream. Sports is not just for winning medals but it is also the best way to win hearts. It not only gives rise to champions but also promotes peace.”
Chidambaram’s warnings highlight the debate over the feasibility and long-term benefits of hosting the Olympics, juxtaposed with the aspirations and enthusiasm expressed by other national leaders and IOC representatives.