Qatar has revealed plans to become the first Middle East nation to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games, as it lines up with a bid for the 2036 edition.
The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) today confirmed its participation in “ongoing discussions” with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as part of the new Host City election process for the games.
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The QOC has stated that the country has 95% of the required sports infrastructure in place to host the games, and “a comprehensive national plan to ensure 100% readiness of all facilities.”
Qatar wants to build on its hosting of soccer’s showpiece World Cup in 2022, and the move is part of its National Vision 2030.
In recent years, the country has hosted international events in sports such as handball, athletics, aquatics, and table tennis.
In the coming years, Qatar will stage the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the 2030 Asian Games.
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By GlobalDataSheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, president of the Qatar Olympic Committee and chair of the Bid Committee, said: “Our participation in the ongoing dialogue around hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036 reflects a national vision that sees sport as a driver of development and a platform for promoting mutual understanding and peace among nations.
“We have made sport a central pillar of our national strategy, and today, we aspire to elevate that role regionally and globally by presenting a new model – one that reflects the diversity of our region and celebrates its authentic human values.”
The QOC has held extensive consultations with national and regional partners as part of its efforts to host the games.
The Gulf nation had been overlooked for the 2032 Olympics as the Thomas Bach-led IOC fast-tracked Brisbane as host under a preferred bidder process.
The IOC, now under the new leadership of Kirsty Coventry, has pledged to involve its members more in the selection of host cities.
Qatar could face a challenge from neighbouring Saudi Arabia, which is staging the men's World Cup in 2034 after also investing hugely in sports projects.
India is also interested in hosting the 2036 Olympics and is understood to have sent an expression letter to the Future Host Commission at the IOC last year.
The country has never hosted the event before and will be a strong challenger with Nita Ambani, an influential IOC member.
The 2036 hosting rights are likely to be allocated in 2026 and will be the first awarded under Coventry’s presidency.
Other countries expected to formally bid for the 2036 Olympics, meanwhile, include Indonesia, Chile, and Turkey, with Egypt another possible bidder.
Mexico had also originally said they would bid for either the 2036 or 2040 games, before publicly opting against such a move in January last year.
If Qatar is to host the Olympics, scheduling the major event is likely to be a significant issue given the extreme levels of heat in the country during August, when the summer games typically take place.
Due to this, the 2022 World Cup was held in the winter months of November and December for the first time.
The 2028 Olympics will be held in Los Angeles, US, while the 2032 edition will be staged in Brisbane, Australia.
