French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed his firm belief in India’s potential to successfully host the Olympic Games, emphasizing the country’s capability to organize such a significant international event. His remarks come as India considers bidding to host the 2036 Olympics, with Egypt and several other nations also in contention.
Neither India nor Egypt has ever hosted the Olympics, making this an ambitious endeavor for both countries as they seek to elevate their sporting profiles. During a recent interview with Jio Cinema, Macron conveyed his confidence in India’s ability to rise to the challenge.
Acknowledging the intense competition involved in securing the Olympics, Macron encouraged India not to underestimate its potential. He drew on France’s own experience, recounting the nation’s competition with the United States when bidding for the 2024 Olympics. Macron noted that the bidding process itself serves as valuable preparation for the eventual winner.
“I sincerely believe that your country has a bright future, particularly in terms of its capacity to host significant international events like the Olympics. It’s a tough competition, and you shouldn’t underestimate that. I remember seven years ago in Lausanne, we competed against the US—Los Angeles. We ultimately reached a cooperative agreement, which remains a strong partnership. The competition was, and still is, an essential preparation,” Macron said in his conversation with Jio Cinema.
Macron also highlighted the ongoing collaboration between France and India as India considers its Olympic bid. He mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had requested technical assistance from France, leading to the involvement of Indian officials with French teams to gain valuable insights from France’s Olympic preparations. Macron expressed his hope that this exchange of knowledge and technology would further bolster India’s prospects.
“We’ve been working with India at Prime Minister Modi’s request. We sent a technical team to assist, and Indian officials have been embedded with our teams during the Olympics preparations. If we can transfer the know-how and technology, it would be beneficial,” Macron noted.
Furthermore, Macron stressed the importance of unity among all stakeholders, including sports organizations, local communities, and government entities, to ensure the successful hosting of the Olympics. He pointed out that France’s significant investment in the 2024 Olympics over the past seven years highlights the necessity of stability and commitment in overcoming the challenges that arise in the lead-up to the Games.
“Organizing the Olympic Games requires collaboration. You need the support of your sports people, the Olympic Committee, local communities, and the state. All aspects, from security to organization, must be cohesive—this is the unity of the team,” Macron explained.
Macron concluded by urging India to embrace the boldness required to host the Olympics, encouraging the country to “dream big and deliver big.” His praise for the audacious and artistically free opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics underscored this message. Macron’s remarks have been interpreted as a strong endorsement of India’s capabilities and a testament to the deepening sports cooperation between France and India.