Archive · 15 Aug 2026
PM Modi: India Strong 2036 Olympics Contender, Announces Talent Hunt
On India's 80th birthday, called Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a big sports announcement.
He spoke from a famous fort called the Red Fort in New Delhi.
He said India is a strong contender to host the Olympic Games in 2036.
The Olympics is a huge sports competition where athletes from all over the world compete in many different sports.
He also announced a talent hunt that will search for children aged 5 to 15 in every village, city and school.
These children will get special training to become world-class athletes.
Right now, India does not qualify for many Olympic events, so the Prime Minister wants India to compete in at least three-fourths of all Olympic events by 2036.
He praised a government programme called TOPS, which started in 2014 and helps Indian athletes.
India is also going to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030 in the city of Ahmedabad.
India's athletes are now also preparing for the Asian Games, which will be held in Japan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared India a strong contender to host the 2036 Olympics during his 80th Independence Day address from the Red Fort.
A nationwide talent hunt will identify sporting talent among children aged 5 to 15 in every village, city and school.
India does not participate in or qualify for nearly two-thirds of the Olympics' roughly 325-350 events and aims to compete in at least three-fourths by 2036.
Modi credited the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), launched in 2014, as a major success in supporting athletes.
India will host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, which is also in the race to host the 2036 Olympics; India finished fourth with 39 medals at the 2026 Glasgow Games.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- What
- Declared India a strong contender to host the 2036 Olympics and announced a nationwide talent hunt for children aged 5 to 15 to expand India's participation in the Games
- When
- Saturday, August 15, on India's 80th Independence Day
- Where
- Ramparts of the Red Fort, New Delhi, India
- Why
- To improve India's participation and competitiveness in Olympic events, aiming to compete in at least three-fourths of events by 2036
- Speaker
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Occasion
- 80th Independence Day address
- Location
- Red Fort, New Delhi
- Talent hunt age group
- 5 to 15 years
- Olympic scale
- About 40 disciplines and roughly 325-350 events (one report cites over 300 events)
- 2036 participation goal
- At least three-fourths of Olympic events
- 2030 Commonwealth Games host
- Ahmedabad
- Commonwealth Games 2026 result
- 39 medals (13 gold, 17 silver, 9 bronze), fourth place, in Glasgow; women's gold medallists included boxers Jaismine Lamboria, Preeti Pawar, Priya Ghanghas, Sakshi Chaudhary and Arundhati Choudhary, weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, judoka Asmita Dey and para-athlete Sharmila Dhankar
Sources
India target 2036 Olympics as PM Modi calls for mass talent hunt on 80th Independence Day
PM Modi calls India a genuine 2036 Olympics contender, vows talent hunt to ensure larger Indian representation
PM Modi Unveils Vision For India To Host 2036 Olympics And Boost Medal Hopes
India Strong Contender for 2036 Olympics; Talent Hunt to Ensure Larger Participation: PM
PM Narendra Modi announces nationwide talent hunt for kids in 5-15 age group ahead of India’s 2036 Olympics bid
PM Modi sets 2036 Olympic target, unveils talent hunt for 5-15 age group on 80th Independence Day
