IOC President Coventry Pauses 2036 Olympics Bid For Process Review

The International Olympic Committee, led by newly elected President Kirsty Coventry, has announced a pause in the bidding process for the 2036 Olympic Games to reassess how hosts are selected and when decisions are made. This pause comes amid calls from IOC members for greater involvement in the host selection process and a review of the timing for awarding the Games, following reforms that had limited member participation. Coventry, the first female and African IOC president and a former Olympic champion swimmer, plans to establish working groups to examine both the host selection process and other matters such as gender equity in sports. India, one of the roughly 8 to 10 countries bidding for the 2036 Games, is scheduled to send a delegation to Lausanne for discussions, which will proceed despite the pause. The decision on the host city is now expected to be delayed by two to three years as the IOC seeks a more transparent, cost-effective, and sustainable bidding approach, learning from recent selections like Brisbane 2032 and Los Angeles 2028. Coventry emphasized the importance of inclusivity and unity in the Olympic movement as the IOC moves forward with these reforms.