PM Modi acknowledges India's ambition to host 2036 Olympics
What's the story
Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged India's aspiration to host the 2036 Olympics, during his Independence Day speech on August 15.
PM Modi stated that preparations for this ambitious goal are already in progress.
The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to congratulate all athletes who made India proud at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He also backed those preparing for the upcoming Paralympics.
Medals
India celebrates six-medal haul at 2024 Paris Games
The 2024 Paris Olympics Indian contingent, which comprised of 117 athletes, recorded six medals, including five bronze and one silver.
This is now India's joint second-best medal haul at the Olympics, with the 2012 London Games.
India's medalists at Paris Games: Manu Bhaker (two bronze, shooting), Sarabjot Singh (bronze, shooting), Swapnil Kusale (bronze, shooting), Team India (bronze, hockey), Neeraj Chopra (silver, men's javelin throw), and Aman Sehrawat (bronze, men's wrestling).
Readiness
PM Modi highlights India's capability to host large-scale events
PM Modi emphasized that India has demonstrated its ability to host large-scale events like the G20 Summit.
He said, "Today, we also have with us the youth who made the Indian flag fly high in Olympics."
"On behalf of 140 crore countrymen, I congratulate all our athletes and players... In the next few days, a huge contingent of India will leave for Paris to participate in the Paralympics."
Paralympics participation
India's largest-ever Paralympics contingent and medal hopes
India is set to send 84 athletes to the Paris Paralympics, starting August 28. It will be the nation's largest-ever contingent.
These athletes will compete in 12 sports including archery, athletics, badminton, canoeing, cycling, blind judo, powerlifting, rowing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, and taekwondo.
The country aims to build on its success from the Tokyo Paralympics, where it won 19 medals.
India also achieved a record-breaking 111-medal haul at the Para Asian Games.
International backing
IOC President, French President support India's bid
India's bold plan to host the 2036 Olympics has received support from Thomas Bach, the incumbent International Olympic Committee (IOC) head.
French President Emmanuel Macron has also endorsed India's interest in hosting the Games.
Speaking on JioCinema after the conclusion of the Paris Olympics, Macron said that India has the "capacity" to host an event as big as the Olympic Games.