Imane Khelif: IOC Pauses 2036 Olympics Host Selection
The IOC's pause in the host selection process and shift in its gender eligibility policy may have significant implications for the future of the Olympics, with a focus on protecting the female category and ensuring fairness in women's sports. The outcome of the working group's review and the Indian delegation's pitch will be closely watched as the situation develops.
The International Olympic Committee has paused the process to select the host for the 2036 Olympics, dealing a blow to India's bid to stage the Games, with IOC members expressing reservations about the current rules and new president Kirsty Coventry forming a working group to review the host selection process.
The decision comes as the IOC's new president, Kirsty Coventry, has called for a "scientific approach" to protect women's sports fairness amid the growing debate over transgender athletes competing in women's categories. The IOC had earlier stated that several countries, including India, Qatar, Indonesia, Turkey, and Germany, were interested in hosting the 2036 Summer Games. India had moved to the "continuous dialogue" phase under the current procedure and had planned to name a host city soon.
The Gujarat government had already begun constructing two main venue clusters for the Games, including the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave and the Karai Sports Hub. The pause in the selection process may impact India's chances of hosting the 2036 Olympics. The IOC's shift in its gender eligibility policy, with a focus on protecting the female category, may also have implications for the selection process.
The Indian delegation, including government representatives and the Indian Olympic Association, was scheduled to visit Lausanne to make a pitch for the 2036 Games, but it remains to be seen how the pause in the selection process will affect their plans. The IOC's working group will engage with Indian officials as planned from June 30 to July 2, and the outcome of these discussions will be crucial in determining the next steps for India's bid.