The Hindu Editorial Vocabulary– October 16, 2023; Day 484

Olympian heights: On India’s efforts to organise the 2036 edition

India must be wary of (If you are wary of something or someone, you are cautious because you do not know much about them and you believe they may be dangerous or cause problems) the complexities of hosting the Olympiad 

From time immemorial (The distant past beyond memory), the Olympics has been used as a soft-power medium. Governments worldwide have bet on the sporting, economic and socio-cultural impact the games can leave, as well as on the political legitimacy (approval) the hosting of the event can bring. Post-World War Europe, post-apartheid (a rigid policy of segregation of the non-White population) South Africa and Brazil of the 2010s are vivid (clear) examples. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) session in Mumbai that India “would leave no stone unturned” (try every possible course of action in order to achieve something) in its efforts to organise the 2036 edition of the quadrennial (Occurring once in four years, or at the end of every four years) extravaganza (a large, exciting and impressive entertainment or event) is to be seen in this light. That India has also expressed an interest in the Youth Olympics as a precursor (Something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone) is a clear signal that it wants to shed the reticence (an unwillingness to do something or talk about something) that came with the unsavoury (unpleasant; not morally acceptable) happenings at the scam-ridden and ineptly (in an incompetent manner) handled 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games. Though the ratification (Making something valid by formally confirming it) of the host city for 2036 will take time — Brisbane was selected for the 2032 edition only in July 2021 — and there will be other claimants, the move lays bare (Make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret) India’s global ambitions. Be it through the desire for a permanent membership at the United Nations Security Council or the euphoria (an extremely strong feeling of happiness) surrounding the G-20 presidency, India has consistently sought a seat at the high table. The tag of an Olympic host can give it a vantage position (a position giving a strategic advantage) in a shifting world order.

Sporting-wise, it is clear that India wants to benefit from the strong tailwind (Something that helps achieve a goal or progress) produced by the stellar (very good or impressive) 107-medal show at the recently concluded Asian Games. Ever since Abhinav Bindra won the nation’s first-ever individual Olympic gold at Beijing 2008, there has been a steady uptick (A small increase) in performances at multi-disciplinary competitions. There is even a firm belief that India will win double-digit medals at Paris 2024. While such confidence is not entirely misplaced, conducting a mega event such as the Olympics presents a humongous (Very large) challenge. Costs are often prohibitive, as seen from the fierce public outcry (A loud utterance; often in protest or opposition) during both Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. In the case of Tokyo, the financial burden was said to have ballooned (to quickly increase in size, weight, or importance) to $15.4 billion, more than double the initial estimate. Recently, the Australian state of Victoria pulled out of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games because of mounting expenditure and the Canadian province of Alberta withdrew a bid for the 2030 edition. To avoid being seen as a populist ephemera (things that exist or are used or enjoyed for only a short time) in a deeply unequal society, the IOC has moved away from the one-size-fits-all solution and now asks potential organisers to present projects that best fit their economic, social and environmental realities. India’s success will depend on how it marries its aspirations with the inherent complexities.

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