NEW DELHI, April 19: The Indian Olympic Association today decided to bid for the 2026 Youth Olympics as well as the 2032 Summer Olympics, receiving appreciation from the visiting International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.
In a press conference addressed with Bach here, IOA President Narinder Batra said, �We are bidding for three events, 2026 Youth Olympics, 2030 Asian Games and 2032 Olympics. We don�t know whether they will come to India or not. Let us see how fierce the competition is.�
Bach, who is on a two-day visit to the country, said India has the capability to host big Olympic events but advised the IOA to wait for the bidding process to start.
�We have taken note with great appreciation of the intention of IOA to host future Youth Olympics and Summer Olympics. It would be fantastic for Indian athletes to have their Olympics at their home country. It will give a boost to sports in India and develop interest in many young people to take up sports,� Bach, who was last here in 2015, said.
�But it�s not the time to discuss in detail about future candidates as no procedure is currently open neither for Olympic Games nor for Youth Olympics. The next available slot for Youth Olympics is 2026 but we are even yet to decide on 2022 edition host city, the process is underway. Only after we finalise 2022 Youth Olympics hosts, we will start the procedure for 2026,� said Bach.
The IOC chief also had a meeting with Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore during the day.
The bidding process for the 2026 Youth Olympics is likely to start in early part of 2020. Besides India, Thailand has also expressed interest to host the 2026 Youth Olympics. Regarding the IOA�s intention to bid for 2032 Olympics, Bach said, �There is a lot of time left till we open bidding procedure for 2032 Olympics. We have to wait till that.� � PTI
