Days after a report by The Times of India stated that India was planning to bid for the 2026 Commonwealth Games following Australia's departure as host, Sports Minister Anurag Thakur has instead asserted India's plans to host the Olympics.
Responding to a query by news agency PTI on whether India is thinking about hosting the 2026 CWG, Thakur said, 'India will organise the Olympics in future.'
He was attending the opening ceremony of the Asian Junior and Youth Weightlifting Championships on July 27, where he spoke to reporters about India's intentions to host the quadrennial event.
'We are working in that direction and when the right time comes we will give you the good news. India wants to host the Olympics,' Thakur added.
Expressing the government's wishes, the Minister said, 'It wants India to host good, big tournaments in different sports. To be a sporting super power, you have to host tournaments, provide facilities and take the games forward.'
In 2022, India had announced plans to host the 2036 Olympics in the city of Ahmedabad, preparations of which are underway in full swing with two swanky sports complexes being built around the Narendra Modi Stadium.
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