India is set to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, which will take place in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Soon after the announcement, Home Minister Amit Shah clearly stated India’s next goal: hosting the 2036 Olympic Games. Speaking in Ahmedabad, he said that if the Olympics are held there, India could finish in the top five of the medal standings.
At the closing ceremony of the Sansad Khel Mahotsav, Shah said, “We have recently received the responsibility to host the Commonwealth Games. But the people of Ahmedabad must prepare for something even bigger, because we will now host the 2036 Olympics.” He also outlined the preparation strategy Ahmedabad should host several major sporting competitions to build the culture and infrastructure needed for the Olympics.
Shah expressed confidence that India would succeed on home soil, saying, “I believe that when the Olympics are held in India, the country will finish among the top five in the medal tally.”
However, this goal will be very challenging. India finished 71st at the 2024 Paris Olympics, winning six medals one silver and five bronze with no gold.
Controversy also surrounds the decision to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, with critics questioning why the same city is repeatedly prioritized for major events like the Cricket World Cup and now the Commonwealth Games. The 2030 edition will mark the centenary of the historic Games, and Ahmedabad has been approved as the host city by 74 member nations at the annual general meeting in Glasgow. India previously hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2010.
