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≡ DOHA 2036 BID ≡
“We currently have 95% of the required sports infrastructure in place to host the Games, and we have a comprehensive national plan to ensure 100% readiness of all facilities. This plan is rooted in a long-term vision aimed at building a socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable legacy.
“Our objective goes beyond simply organizing a successful event, we aim to deliver a global experience that reinforces the values of inclusivity, sustainability, and international collaboration.”
That’s Qatar Olympic Committee President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani in the introduction of a 16-page summary of the Doha 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games bid, formally announced on Tuesday.
This was hardly a surprise, following the continuing efforts to bring major events to Qatar in the past, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but also:
● 2014 World Aquatics Short-Course Championships
● 2016 UCI World Road Championships
● 2018 FIG World Artistic Gymnastics Championships
● 2019 World Athletics Championships
● 2024 World Aquatics Championships
Further, Qatar has – more importantly – hosted the 2006 Asian Games, with 9,520 athletes from 45 countries, competing in 424 events in 39 sports, and will host the Asian Games again in 2030. This commitment is key to the venue readiness program, claiming 95% of needed sites now and 100% as part of the national master plan, including an Olympic and Paralympic Village, scheduled to be completed in 2028 as part of the preparation for the 2030 Asian Games.
Doha, which previously bid for the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games, joins a long list of suitors for the 2036 Games and beyond; GamesBids.com noted:
“Other confirmed 2036 bids include Ahmedabad in India, Nusantara in Indonesia, North Jeolla in South Korea and Santiago in Chile. Interest has also been expressed by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Germany, Istanbul in Türkiye, Budapest in Hungary and Spain.”
The Olympic bid process is in flux, with new International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry (ZIM) trying to balance multiple issues:
● The hosts for 2028 (Los Angeles) and 2032 (Brisbane) were awarded the Games 11 years ahead of time and Coventry wants to evaluate whether this was too far ahead of time. The Olympic Charter calls for host-city elections seven years ahead, so in 2029 for 2036.
● A 2036 Olympic Games in Qatar would be impossible in the current July-August time frame, preferred by American and European broadcasters (NBC has purchased rights for the U.S. through 2036). Major events in Qatar have been held much later:
● 2006 Asian Games: 1-15 December
● 2019 World Athletics Championships: 27 September-6 October
● 2022 FIFA World Cup: 20 November-18 December
● 2030 Asian Games: 4-19 November proposed
The IOC has talked about possibly moving Olympic dates later in the calendar to avoid hot conditions in the Northern Hemisphere, but would have to look to late October and beyond for a 2036 Games in Qatar or Saudi Arabia. Does this pose a commercial threat to the Games?
● The current protocol keeps discussions between possible hosts and the IOC quiet, within the Future Host Commissions for the Olympic and Winter Games. This shuts out the vast majority of the IOC membership, who are only asked to confirm the selection made by the Commissions and then approved by the IOC Executive Board. More member involvement in selections was a key campaign point during the IOC Presidential elections, and Coventry is looking for a way to at least keep members better informed.
● A return to member voting on host-city candidates raises the recurrence of corruption issues. These wrecked the IOC in 1999, when information on corruption related to the 2002 Winter Games host selection of Salt Lake City became public, with multiple reforms. But corruption allegations surfaced again as soon as 2009, when the vote for the 2016 Olympic Games was held. How will Coventry ensure this problem does not return?
And there were the continuing, high-decibel protests from human rights organizations during Qatar’s run-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which did not subside until the tournament was over. These have been re-ignited by the selection of Saudi Arabia to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034, and will accompany a Qatar or Saudi selection for a 2036 Olympic Games.
But Qatar is in the game for 2036, officially. But until the IOC’s own internal processes are ironed out, not much movement can be expected, at least publicly.
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