As India sets its sights on hosting the 2036 Olympics, French President Emmanuel Macron has voiced strong support for the country’s bid. In an interview with Jio Cinema, Macron praised India’s “capacity” to organize such grand events and expressed his belief in the country’s future. He acknowledged the competitive nature of the Olympic bid process but emphasized that competing itself is valuable preparation. Reflecting on past experiences, Macron recalled France’s own competition with Los Angeles for the 2024 Games, highlighting the value of such fierce rivalries in securing successful outcomes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also shown enthusiasm for India’s Olympic ambitions. Speaking to para-athletes in Delhi, following a successful Para Asian Games in Hangzhou, Modi emphasized the government’s “athlete-centric” approach and India’s growing prominence in sports. He expressed confidence in India’s ability to host major sporting events, including efforts to secure the 2030 Youth Olympics and the 2036 Olympics.
India has made significant strides in multi-sporting events recently. The country achieved a historic milestone at the Asian Games and Para Asian Games in Hangzhou last year, surpassing the 100-medal mark for the first time with a total of 107 and 111 medals, respectively. Additionally, India secured 61 medals at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and set a national record of 101 medals during the 2010 Commonwealth Games held at home.
At the recent Paris Olympics, India finished 71st on the medal tally, while the United States led with a total of 126 medals. India’s progress and achievements reflect its growing sporting culture and confidence as it prepares to vie for future international events.