India's first individual Olympic gold medalist, Abhinav Bindra, has expressed unwavering confidence that the Olympic Games will one day be hosted by the nation. However, the legendary shooter emphasizes that the event's true success would lie in its ability to ignite a profound and lasting transformation in Indian society, far beyond a fleeting fortnight of sporting spectacle.
A Catalyst for National Development
India has formally launched its bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games, with Ahmedabad being extensively prepared for the potential mega-event through massive infrastructure projects. While acknowledging these efforts, Abhinav Bindra, a five-time Olympian and the men’s 10m rifle champion at the Beijing 2008 Games, insists that the ambition must reach deeper. "We have to use the Olympic bid and the Olympic Games as a catalyst for development and a catalyst for change," Bindra stated during an interaction with the media at the Chess World Cup in Goa.
He elaborated that the goal should not be to create just a ten-day Paralympics or a two-week sporting extravaganza. Instead, the Games should be leveraged as a powerful tool to develop sport at every level, from schools and local communities to the grassroots. The ultimate objective is to weave physical activity into the very fabric of Indian society, creating a healthier and more active nation.
India's Credentials and the Bid Journey
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is yet to announce a shortlist for the 2036 Olympics, with over ten countries reportedly showing interest. Bindra believes that India's credentials are strong and hard to ignore. "There is no doubt that the Games will come to India. I think it is a matter of time," he affirmed.
He views the bidding process itself as a critical victory for Indian sports, regardless of the final outcome. "It’s a good thing that we are bidding, and we are taking that journey. Most bids will fail. But I think, the important thing for a country like India is to use the bid – even if we don't get it – for sport to win, for sport to go forward." He pointed to the recent Sports Governance Bill introduced in Parliament as a positive sign of this momentum, attributing the increased sense of purpose partly to the Olympic bid.
Increasing India's Playing Population
Reflecting on India's Olympic history, Bindra highlighted the nation's modest medal tally. From 1948 to 2004, India won only 12 medals across 15 Olympic editions. His own historic gold in 2008 was a breakthrough, with the country's best performance being the seven medals secured at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
While medals are a cherished goal, Bindra stressed that a more significant metric for success is the size of India's sporting base. "With a younger demographic, sport is becoming more popular, but I do believe that we (need to) actively work harder to increase the playing population of this country," he said. "We're 1.4 billion people, but the number of those who play is actually quite little. Work is needed to increase that participation. The bid or the Olympics must help us get there." Through his non-profit, the Abhinav Bindra Foundation, he continues to dedicate himself to this mission of fostering sporting excellence from the ground up.
