Qatar could come out on top in a battle to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Doha News said that recognising the transformative power of these quadrennial games, Qatar has long set its sights on hosting the Games.
And reports suggest Doha bid parties and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are close to finalising details over hosting the 2036 edition of the Games.
Doha is understood to be the preferred bid, although still unofficial, among IOC members. There is also an unwritten rule of rotation of continents with the Games with 2036 earmarked as Asia’s turn after Paris 2024 (Europe), Los Angeles 2028 (Americas) and Brisbane 2032 (Oceania).
Despite being unsuccessful in its bids for the Olympics in 2016 and 2020, Qatar has since distinguished itself by investing in world-class training facilities and top-notch sporting infrastructure.
The country has elevated its global profile through successfully hosting major international sporting events, including the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
Simon Chadwick, a Professor of Sport and Geopolitical Economy at Skema Business School, emphasised that Qatar’s recent developments have fundamentally altered its standing in the bidding process, in an interview with Doha News.
He said, “Experience, established infrastructure, and a more prominent place in the world. When Qatar last bid, it was a somewhat unknown quantity. Now, after a decade of hosting events and engaging in diplomacy, the country is a completely different proposition.”
Chadwick said that Qatar’s role as a third-party mediator in regional conflicts could benefit the country’s candidacy for hosting the Olympics.
Regional bid
There is also the prospect that Qatar could host as part of a regional event with other countries.
An Olympic host can now officially be in multiple countries after the IOC approved bidding and host-city election reforms in 2019.
The 2026 Winter Games will mark a historic first, with Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy serving as the official host cities.
The IOC comprises 105 members and 38 honorary members. Qatar, represented by the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, became recognised by the IOC in 1980.
Professor Chadwick suggests that the revised definition could prompt Qatar to collaborate with other Gulf countries, potentially easing concerns raised during the 2017 Qatari blockade, particularly those expressed by neighbors such as Saudi Arabia.
He said, “A 2036 Olympics in Qatar would be likely to have a significant impact upon the perceived balance of power across the Gulf. Some local rivals might feel antagonised by it.
“Qatar needs to decide whether it partners with, say, Saudi Arabia to make a bid. Or Qatar needs to revisit its initial World Cup positioning that it was a regional tournament.
“To allay the concerns of neighbours, Qatar should be reaching out to them now, whilst a rumoured bid is being prepared now.”
Qatar has yet to bid for the 2036 Olympics officially, but several of its officials have expressed confidence that the country can successfully host any mega sporting event in the future.
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