In a bold declaration of sporting ambition, International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah has announced India's intention to host the Olympic Games in 2036, setting an audacious target of winning 100 medals for the nation.
Gujarat's Grand Sporting Ambition
Speaking at an event in Surat on Sunday, Shah outlined a clear roadmap for India's sporting future. He stated that after successfully hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2030, the country's next major goal is to bring the Olympic Games to Gujarat in 2036. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with playing a pivotal role in securing the Commonwealth Games for the state, laying the groundwork for this larger aspiration.
"Eight Medals Won't Cut It": A New Benchmark
Shah directly addressed India's performance at the recently concluded Paris Olympics 2024, where the country secured eight medals. He made it clear that this level of achievement is insufficient for the future. The new target for the 2036 Olympics is a minimum of 100 medals, a significant leap that would redefine India's position in global sports.
He further specified that Gujarat, as the prospective host state, should contribute at least ten medals to this national tally. Emphasizing the growing importance of women in sports, Shah added that female athletes are expected to win at least two of Gujarat's ten projected medals.
Celebrating Current Success and Changing Mindsets
The ICC chairman took a moment to applaud recent triumphs, including the Indian men's cricket team's victory at the 2024 T20 World Cup in Barbados and their win at the 2025 Champions Trophy. He then highlighted a positive societal shift in attitudes towards women's sports.
"Earlier, many parents wanted their sons to become like Virat Kohli," Shah noted. "But now, several parents want their daughters to follow in the footsteps of cricketers like Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur." This change, he implied, is fundamental to building a broader and more inclusive sporting culture capable of achieving the ambitious 100-medal goal.
Jay Shah's announcement marks a definitive statement of intent from India's sporting leadership. It frames the 2030 Commonwealth Games not just as an event, but as a critical stepping stone towards the ultimate prize: hosting the Olympics and achieving a historic medal haul on home soil thirteen years from now.
