From Paris 2024 to 2036 Olympics: India’s Sports Transformation
New Delhi: For decades, India’s sporting identity revolved around hockey glory, cricket dominance, and the occasional Olympic medal. But in 2025, the nation is chasing a far bigger dream — to join the league of countries that not only compete, but host the world.
The Narendra Modi government’s twin bids for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympics mark a radical shift in ambition. Ahmedabad is being pitched as the central stage for both — a departure from the past when New Delhi alone carried India’s hosting legacy with the Asian Games (1951, 1982) and the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
This isn’t just about sport. As PM Modi has stressed since first announcing the Olympic ambition in 2023, hosting mega-events means building stadiums, upgrading transport, boosting tourism, and reshaping global perception — a ripple effect that has transformed nations like Saudi Arabia into sporting hubs within a generation.
A New Blueprint for Indian Sports
Driving this ambition is the National Sports Governance Bill 2025, passed by Parliament this week. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya calls it “the single biggest reform in sports since independence,” promising a National Sports Board, a Sports Tribunal, and a governance overhaul aimed at bringing India’s sports administration in line with global best practices.
For a country still waiting to breach double-digit Olympic medal counts, this is as much about grassroots strength as it is about grand spectacle. Critics warn that chasing the Olympics must not come at the cost of athlete development — the skyscraper needs a strong foundation.
The Changing Game
The change is already visible. India’s men’s hockey team has reclaimed its Olympic relevance with back-to-back medals. Cricket remains a financial powerhouse, shaping the sport worldwide. Wrestling, shooting, badminton, and boxing continue to produce world champions, while Neeraj Chopra has made athletics a household talking point.
Women athletes, too, are breaking new ground — from Manu Bhaker’s Paris Olympics success to the Blue Tigresses’ historic AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualification. Even in sports struggling for traction, moments of brilliance keep the conversation alive.
India’s medal tally at Paris 2024 — six in total — left some disappointed, but the frustration came from higher expectations, a sign of how far the country has come.
Now, with bids for two global spectacles in hand, the question is not whether India wants to play in the big league — but whether it is ready to be the big league.
