Qatar’s Olympic Committee building in Doha marking the nation’s formal entry into the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games dialogue with the IOC.
This is a formal talking phase with the IOC that Qatar has initiated as part of its strategy for hosting the Olympics and Paralympics Summer Games in 2036. Such news implies that the Gulf nation intends to augment its sporting prowess in the world after successfully holding major events such as the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
Using its current infrastructure from the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the impending 2030 Asian Games, Qatar has formally confirmed talks with the IOC to bid for the 2036 Summer Olympics. Under the IOC's updated bidding process, Qatar, which aims to be the first Middle Eastern host and prioritizes sustainability and legacy in accordance with Agenda 2020, will compete with other countries.
IOC has confirmed that currently Qatar is in the so-called 'Continuous Dialogue' phase-a stage where non-commitment and exploration were opened upon the state's request to host with no obligations attached. The Continuous Dialogue process allows the Future Host Commission of the IOC to collaborate with national Olympic committees to assess the vision, talent and feasibility of possible future host cities or countries.
This, to say, puts Qatar in only a few countries that are stiffly competing for the chances to host the 2036 Games. Unlike all previous bidding cycles, the IOC now developed a reformed and non-competitively dialogue frame emphasizing long-term sustainability, legacy planning and accord to the Olympic Agenda 2020+5.
Nearly 95% of the venues and facilities needed to host the Olympics have already been built, demonstrating Qatar's readiness from an infrastructure perspective. This preparedness is the result of more than ten years of significant investment in municipal infrastructure and sports facilities linked to its successful hosting of international events. Venues being planned for the Asian Games in 2030, as well as stadiums and transportation systems being renovated or constructed for the FIFA World Cup 2022, provide a strong basis for any future Olympic needs.
According to the National Olympic Committee of Qatar, the ambition of hosting the Olympics in 2036 is not simply to be recognized as a nation with the capacity and excellence in sports but rather continues to be part of a broader vision of socio-economic diversification and a global diplomatic effort through sport. If it turns into a reality, Qatar would be the first Arab and Middle Eastern nation to host the Summer Olympic Games.
The impending milestone would find itself embedded in an already established framework: that of the country's National Vision 2030, which seeks to enhance the culture of diplomacy, environmental sustainability, and economic modernization by soft power through international sporting events.
The past experiences of Qatar towards mega-event management are expected to further bolster the case. Beyond the World Cup, the country has hosted the Asian Games, the IAAF World Championships, many events on ATP and WTA tennis circuits, among others, all contributing to building a robust infrastructure and demonstrating organizational capabilities in areas such as transport, logistics and accommodation.
The 2019 reform in the selection model of the IOC drifted from the traditional method of highly costly but competitively intimidating bids as its new chemicals stir in solvent solutions into sustainable, inclusive, and economical solutions all pointing towards the aspirational end of the development initiated from the locality level. In this framework, risks are lowered politically and financially and initiate strategic global partnerships.
Qatar's official entry into talks with the IOC marks the intent from its sporting perspective and its visibility as a global soft power in the 21st century. In a sport that regarded the 2036 Games as the next most prized trophy in the international arms of sports diplomacy, Qatar's candidacy might set a precedent for assessing the future host and not just the kind of infrastructure but possibly about legacy, inclusiveness and regional representation.
The pursuit of the 2036 Olympics will not be exclusive to Qatar. A number of other nations have shown their interest in bidding or announced their intention to do so. The IOC lists the following countries as interested: Indonesia, India, Turkey, Chile, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Egypt, Hungary, Italy, Germany, Denmark and Canada
