Running News Daily

The race to host the 2036 Summer Olympic Games is gathering momentum, with seven nations officially positioning themselves to bring the world's biggest sporting spectacle to their shores.

Germany, Hungary, India, Qatar, South Korea, South Africa and Türkiye have all expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Games, meeting the International Olympic Committee's October 31 deadline. With no additional countries entering the process, the seven-nation field remains unchanged from the list previously announced by the IOC.

Each potential host brings a different sporting history, ambition and vision for the Olympic movement. Germany is seeking an opportunity to stage the Games again, 100 years after Berlin hosted the 1936 Olympics, with Munich among the cities associated with its bid. Hungary is also pursuing its long-standing Olympic ambition, with Budapest drawing on its experience of hosting major international competitions, including the 2023 World Athletics Championships.

India is another major contender, with Ahmedabad at the centre of its hosting ambitions. The city boasts the world's largest cricket stadium and is scheduled to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, strengthening its credentials as an emerging destination for major sporting events.

South Africa's potential bid carries particular historical significance. If successful, the country would deliver the first-ever Summer Olympic Games on African soil, marking a landmark moment for the continent and expanding the geographical reach of the Olympic movement.

Meanwhile, South Korea is looking to bring the Summer Games back to Seoul, which last hosted the Olympics in 1988. Türkiye, through Istanbul's repeated attempts to secure the event, is also hoping that its latest campaign will finally deliver the opportunity to stage the prestigious competition.

Qatar presents a different challenge, particularly regarding the scheduling of outdoor events. The country's extreme summer temperatures would make a traditional July-August Olympic programme difficult, potentially requiring the IOC to consider an alternative period if Doha's bid progresses.

For athletics, especially marathon and distance running, the climate question is significant. The 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha remain a reminder of how challenging extreme heat can be for endurance athletes. The women's marathon, which began close to midnight in an attempt to avoid the worst conditions, underlined the importance of weather and scheduling when staging major championships in hot climates.