By Atoyebi Nike
Qatar has officially submitted its bid to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games, aiming to bring the global sporting event to the Middle East for the first time, officials announced on Tuesday.
The bid, led by the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), builds on the Gulf state’s growing reputation for hosting international sports, including the FIFA World Cup 2022.
“This bid represents a new milestone in Qatar’s journey,” said Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani in a statement via the Qatar News Agency. “It reflects our commitment to using sport as a platform for development, inclusion, and international cooperation.”
Qatar’s capital, Doha, has invested heavily in sports infrastructure, and officials say the country is nearly fully prepared.
“We currently have 95% of the required sports infrastructure in place,” said QOC President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, adding that sports are a central pillar of the national development strategy.
Should Qatar succeed, it would mark the first time the Olympics are held in the Middle East and North Africa region.
The bid follows global scrutiny over Qatar’s human rights record during the 2022 World Cup preparations. While rights groups, including Amnesty International, claimed thousands of migrant workers died, Qatari authorities reported 37 deaths only three of which were linked to work-related incidents.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is expected to announce the winning host city under the leadership of Kirsty Coventry, the newly appointed IOC president and the first woman to head the global body.
With the 2024, 2028, and 2032 Games going to Europe, North America, and Oceania respectively, Asia or Africa is widely seen as the next likely destination.
