Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday that India is positioning itself as a strong candidate to host the 2036 Olympics. During his address from the Red Fort on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day, he unveiled a nationwide talent identification program aimed at nurturing young athletes. The initiative will target children aged between five and 15 years, seeking to discover sporting talent from all corners of the country.

Talent Identification Program

Modi emphasized the importance of not only pursuing the opportunity to host the Olympics but also enhancing India’s participation across various sports disciplines. The talent hunt aims to identify promising athletes who will receive specialized training to develop their skills and potentially compete at a world-class level. "India is making space for itself in the world of sports," Modi stated, highlighting the success of initiatives like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and various games and training programs that have contributed to the country's sporting progress.

Future Aspirations

While discussing India's Olympic ambitions, Modi pointed out that the nation currently competes in only a fraction of the events available at the Olympics. He expressed a desire for India to participate in at least three-fourths of the events by 2036. The Prime Minister noted that the outcome of India's bid to host the 2036 Olympics will be determined in 2029, with Ahmedabad also in the running to host the Games. The talent identification initiative is expected to leverage Artificial Intelligence to conduct fitness assessments across various parameters, including endurance, strength, and agility.

This talent hunt, which has been under consideration since earlier this year, aims to bolster India's presence in the global sports arena and ensure that the nation is well-prepared for the upcoming Olympic Games.