Pakistan conflict may have stalled bid but India remain clear favourites to host 2036 Olympics

Indian officials are set to travel to Lausanne next month shortly after Kirsty Coventry takes over as IOC President to present to the Future Host Commission

There seemed nothing that would stop India being awarded the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with some insiders even speculating that they could be granted the hosting rights before Thomas Bach stepped down as International Olympic Committee President on June 23.

Then came the latest crisis in India’s relationship with neighbours Pakistan when conflict erupted after gunmen killed 26 civilians in Pahalgam, in Indian-administered Kashmir, on April 22. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised retaliation, even though Pakistan denied any role in the attack.

On May 7, India fired missiles at what it described as “terrorist” bases not just in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, but also four sites in its Punjab province. In the following days, both sides launched killer drone strikes at each other’s territory and blamed one another for initiating the attacks.