The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports Sarbananda Sonowal has said that the Government has not taken any decision on whether India should bid for 2024 Summer Olympics. All requisite steps related to the bid before the deadline will be taken only if a decision is taken to the effect that India should bid for 2024 Olympics.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today Sonowal said, the 18th Asian Games 2018 was initially awarded to Hanoi, Vietnam by Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). However, due to financial constraints, the Government of Vietnam announced its withdrawal from hosting the 2018 Asian Games. After the withdrawal, the OCA had stated that Indonesia, China and the United Arab Emirates are candidates for the replacement of Hanoi. The last date for submission of bids by the concerned National Olympic Committees to OCA was 7-7-2014. Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had also expressed interest in India hosting 18th Asian Games 2018 and sought the in principle approval of the Government for the same. Since the IOA had not submitted the requisite details before the deadline, the Ministry did not give its permission. 18th Asian Games 2018 has been awarded to Indonesia by OCA.
