Mumbai. India will take a giant leap in its journey as an Olympic nation when Mumbai hosts the 141st Session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from October 15 to 17, 2023. The IOC Session is returning to India after a gap of 40 years. New Delhi hosted the 86th edition of the IOC Session in 1983. This is a prestigious achievement for Mumbai and India, as the IOC Session is the highest decision-making body for Olympic events.
This body discusses and decides on key activities of the global Olympic event, including adoption or amendment of the Olympic Charter, election of IOC members and officials, and selection of the Olympic host city. For example, if cricket has made it to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, it will be formally announced at the Mumbai session.
How did India get to host the Olympic season?
An Indian delegation led by Nita Ambani, the first Indian woman to be elected as an IOC member, prepared the ground for this at the 139th IOC Session in Beijing in February 2022. Mumbai received overwhelming support for its bid and received 99% votes in favour from the delegates who participated in the process. The Indian delegation also included Abhinav Bindra, the first Indian to win an individual medal at the Olympics.
This season will be a historic moment for Indian sports and will firmly establish India on the global sports map. It will also open up many opportunities for hosting sports, world-class training infrastructure, talent nurturing and enriching the lives of millions of Indian sportspersons. It will also be an important step towards India’s aspirations of hosting the Youth Olympics and Olympic Games in the future. Nita Ambani had also expressed the ambition that India will one day host the Olympics after Mumbai was confirmed to host the Olympic season.
Nita Ambani played a big role in Mumbai getting the hosting of the Olympic season
Nita Ambani, who has contributed significantly to the advancement of youth sports in India as the chairperson of Reliance Foundation, whose initiatives have reached 2.15 crore youth across the country, described the hosting of the Olympic season as a ‘significant development’ towards India’s Olympic aspirations. She said, ‘After a wait of 40 years, the Olympic season is back in India! I am truly grateful to the International Olympic Committee for entrusting India with the honour of hosting the IOC session in Mumbai in 2023.’
He said, ‘This will be significant for India’s Olympic aspirations and will mark the beginning of a new era for Indian sports. Sports has always been a symbol of hope and inspiration for millions of people around the world. We are one of the youngest countries in the world today and I am excited to see the youth of India embrace and experience the magic of the Olympics firsthand. It is our dream to strengthen this partnership further and host the Olympic Games in India in the coming years!’
IOC President Thomas Bach supports India’s hosting of Olympics
In a recent interview with CNBC TV18, IOC President Thomas Bach strongly supported India’s ambitions of hosting the Olympic Games. When asked if the subject will come up for discussion at the IOC session in Mumbai, Bach said, “It is up to India. Here, our doors and hearts are open. India can play a more important role in the Olympic Movement and the Olympic Movement has the potential to grow just like India. Of course, this is very welcome.”
Tags: Nita Ambani
FIRST PUBLISHED : October 11, 2023, 14:54 IST