Doha seeks the event it is missing: organizing the 2036 Olympic Games

The competition to host the 2036 Olympic Games will be intense, with numerous cities and countries willing to invest in infrastructure and present innovative proposals to attract the most important sporting event in the world. Doha has a strong intention, driven by the success of the 2022 World Cup and other international competitions it has organized, such as the 2019 World Athletics Championship, the 2024 World Swimming Championships and the future 2027 Basketball World Cup. It has been hosting major events for more than a decade and getting closer to the main international sports federations. These first-rate events were interspersed with other annual events in tennis, Formula 1, motorcycling and World Cups in different sports. The capital of Qatar also has experience in multisport events, such as the 2006 Asian Games, which it will host again in 2030, in what may be a general rehearsal of the 2036 Olympic Games.

There is one point in favor of the Qatari candidacy: the 2036 Games coincide with an edition where, in the unwritten rule of the rotation of continents, an Asian nation would be chosen after Europe (Paris 2024), America (Los Angeles 2028) and Oceania (Brisbane 2032), waiting for a powerful option from Africa. Doha meets this condition, although Bombay and Jakarta are also positioned in this regard.

In contrast, there are very powerful arguments that do not quite convince within the IOC: the extreme climate, human rights violations, social and cultural restrictions and the environmental impact of its massive constructions. These factors present significant challenges for Doha in its aspiration and will need to be effectively addressed to improve its chances of success.

Members of the International Olympic Committee confirmed to the Spanish media outlet Relevo that the Qatari candidacy will be the one chosen to the detriment of the other cities that have shown interest in organizing the 2036 event. The truth is that until the official announcement scheduled for 2026 or 2027, there will be no confirmations.

Among the candidate cities, many pointed to India’s potential and the impressive sports complex planned in Ahmedabad as a venue of the International Olympic Committee’s liking. In fact, the election and celebration in Bombay of the 141st Session of the IOC, at the end of 2023, added followers to this commitment, which became even stronger with the inclusion of cricket as one of the five new sports starting in Los Angeles 2028.

The other solid option on the table was always Germany. A joint bid between Berlin and Tel Aviv was considered to commemorate and symbolize the 100th anniversary of the 1936 Olympic Games. But within the German Olympic Committee, this route was not contemplated. Spain would also enter into that battle, if a candidacy from Madrid, a city that still owes an appointment with Olympism, is formalized.