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Nita Ambani said hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games will be transformative for Indian youth as well as the economy of the country.
IOC member Nita Ambani
International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Nita Ambani says it is not just her dream but of 1.4 billion Indians to host the Olympics.
In an interview with Bloomberg TV, Nita Ambani said organising the Olympic and Paralympic Games in India will be transformative for the country’s youth as well as its economy.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) officially submitted a Letter of Intent to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Future Host Commission on October 1 to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036.
“I don’t think it’s my dream alone. I think it’s a dream of 1.4 billion Indians to see the Olympics being held in India. I think once sport takes over, the transformation will be seen, not only in the lives of the youths but in the economy of a country,” Nita Ambani said.
“India is one of the biggest centers for digital usage. I mean Tokyo Olympics was the most watched, had the highest amount of digital engagement in India and one-third of the viewership of the Olympic channel comes from India. So India as a sporting market is huge,” she added.
When asked about past hosts grappling with escalating costs of the Games in terms of infrastructure and what India would want to do differently, Nita Ambani said, “I think we’re talking about innovation and sustainability, and I think the same holds for holding the Olympics. What if you look at a sustainable model? What if you look at for wishing old stadiums reusing what we have?”
Asked if she is confident of India getting the hosting rights, Nita Ambani said: “I’m keeping my fingers crossed, but as I said, you can’t ignore 1.4 billions million Indians hopes and dreams.”
