IOC Boss Pauses 2036 Olympics Bidding Process

India’s push toward winning the 2036 Olympics hosting contest seemed to stall a little in the first big decision of Kirsty Coventry’s IOC presidency.

Coventry paused the fast tracking of a preferred bidder in a concession to International Olympic Committee members who have wanted more say in decisions under new leadership.

President of the Jamaica Olympic Association, Christopher Samuda, described the move as substantial.

India has been seen as gaining momentum in the 2036 race that involves at least 10 bidders in talks including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Istanbul in Turkey.

In her third full day in office, Coventry promised to create two working groups to look at how hosts are chosen, and a second analyzing how to “protect the female category” after controversy in women’s boxing at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Christopher Samuda.