India Targets 2036 Olympics in Gujarat with 100-Medal Goal

At a public event in Surat, Jay Shah, the ICC chairman, laid out India's Olympic plan for the coming years. He said that after hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2030, the country aims to host the Olympic Games in Gujarat in 2036 and has set a target of winning 100 medals. Shah added that Gujarat should contribute 10 medals and that at least two should come from women athletes. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with playing a key role in securing the 2030 Commonwealth Games for Gujarat, emphasizing that strong leadership is essential to building the required sports infrastructure.

Citing India's Paris 2024 showing of eight medals, Shah argued that the 2036 target must be ambitious and achievable. He described 100 medals as a milestone of growth across disciplines, and he highlighted the need to widen the talent pipeline beyond major cities to include athletes from smaller towns and rural areas.

Shah also highlighted recent sports successes, noting the Indian men's cricket team's triumphs in 2024 and 2025 as part of a broader rise in the sporting ecosystem. He said such achievements inspire more girls to pursue sports and reflect a shift in parents' attitudes, with many now encouraging daughters to follow in the footsteps of stars like Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur.

Modi's broader push to raise India's sports profile was echoed in other remarks and events, including the Prime Minister's assertion that after the 2030 Commonwealth Games India would push to host the 2036 Olympics and provide more players with opportunities. The longer-term sporting drive comes alongside initiatives to expand infrastructure, and the country recently hosted the 72nd National Volleyball Championship in Varanasi, underscoring the focus on sports development across the country.

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