On 2 November, the International Olympic Committee closed the list of contenders for the summer Games of 2036. It included Germany, Hungary, India, Qatar, South Korea, South Africa and Turkey. Seven countries, seven different stories and seven different calculations — that is exactly what the first stage of selection under the new "Future of the Games" rules looks like.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) has reconfirmed the list of Interested Parties with a declared interest in hosting the 2036 Olympic Games. Germany, Hungary, India , Qatar, Republic of Korea, South Africa and Türkiye.
The application window officially closed on 31 October. No new candidates appeared. Now begins the long road of assessments: online presentations already this month, technical expertise by March 2027, and the final decision only in 2029. For the IOC, this is the first test of a reform designed to make the Games cheaper and more sustainable. For the countries, it is a chance to show that they can not merely host competitions but draw long-term benefit from them.
Behind the dry lists lies fierce competition. Germany and South Korea have proven infrastructure and experience. India and Turkey see the Olympics as a tool of national prestige and an economic leap forward. Qatar has already proven it can organise mega-events, while Hungary and South Africa are looking for a way to bring sport back to the centre of public life after difficult years. Each candidate carries its own risks: political instability, human rights questions, climate challenges or cost overruns.
The most interesting point is not who will win, but that the very fact of seven bids speaks to confidence in the Olympic model. Even after scandals and overspending, countries still want to join the club. This is not just about stadiums and medals. It is about how sport becomes a field for demonstrating power, soft diplomacy and long-term investment in image.
Imagine an ordinary family deciding to build a big house: first they count the money, then they look at how many years they will have to pay off the loan, and only then do they think about parties. In exactly the same way, the IOC now forces candidates first to prove that the Games will not become a financial and social burden. Those who pass this filter will receive not only the right to an opening ceremony but also a real lever of influence for decades to come.
The choice of host for the 2036 Olympics will show which way world sport is moving: towards new centres of power or towards proven players. For now, one thing is clear — the struggle is only beginning, and the stakes in it are far higher than just gold medals.
