Mumbai was named as possible Indian candidate to host the 2026 Youth Olympic Games that could lead to a candidacy for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis confirmed Friday.
The announcement came on the second day of International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach’s visit to India, and his arrival in Mumbai for a day to meet athletes, youth and a grass roots sports program supported by IOC Member Nita Ambani.
On Thursday in New Delhi Bach confirmed his support for future bids from India but cautioned that it was still too early too seriously launch any campaigns.
The IOC is currently working with African countries to site the 2022 Youth Olympics and won’t consider interest for 2026 until that process concludes in October. The 2032 Olympics host city will be elected in 2025.
Local media are reporting that plans are in the works to construct new infrastructure in the Mumbai suburbs on the Mumbai-Pune stretch. Organizers would built an “ultra-modern” Olympic Village for the young athletes.
India Intends To Bid For 2032 Olympics, 2026 Youth Olympics – But Bach Remains Cautious
Airports improvements are underway adding to the infrastructure that will already exist ahead of a bid.
Indian Olympic Gold medalist and World Champion in shooting Abhinav Bindra threw his support behind the project Tweeting “If we r to bid for a Multi discipline event , the youth Olympics is the ideal event in our current ecosystem.”
“More than the event, investment which would be directed to the grassroots and our youth will help build champions for the future. Good luck Mumbai 2026 in your endeavour!”
India hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2010 in New Delhi, but the event was criticized for delays, corruption and poor organization.
Chief Minister of Maharashtra, with the backing of IOA President Narinder Batra and IOC member Nita Ambani, expresses committment for a Mumbai candidature for the Youth Olympic Games 2026, as well as a strong interest in the Olympic Games 2032.
— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) April 21, 2018
The Youth Olympic Games will be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina this year and the Winter edition is set for 2020 in Lausanne, Switzerland. The Olympics are already set for Tokyo in 2020, Paris in 2024 and Los Angeles in 2028.
Australia has also expressed interest in hosting the 2032 Olympics along with Budapest, after the Hungarian Capital was forced to drop a 2024 bid when threatened by a referendum.
