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IOC to India on hosting 2036 Olympics: 'First, put your house in order'
Amid longstanding allegations of mismanagement and corruption within India's sports bodies, the IOC flagged concerns over governance issues in the IOA, the country's rampant doping problem, and its underwhelming Olympic performance.
According to a report in The Indian Express, the global body told the Indian delegation in candid terms that while India could continue preparing its bid to host a future Games, it must first address the structural concerns.
The Indian delegation to Lausanne was led by Gujarat's Home and Sports Minister Harsh Sanghavi and IOA President P T Usha. It included senior officials from the Union government and the state, top IOA functionaries, private consultants, and corporate executives.
In a statement after the meeting, the delegation said it had 'explored the opportunity and feasibility of India hosting a future edition of the Olympic and Paralympic Games'.
Just days earlier, the IOC had announced a pause in the process of selecting future Olympic host cities. Nonetheless, the Indian delegation proceeded with its meeting in Lausanne, officially confirming for the first time that Ahmedabad is India's chosen city for a future bid.
The meeting took place despite IOC President Kirsty Coventry stating in her first media interaction that the host selection process was being halted to give IOC members greater say. With Brisbane already awarded the 2032 Games, the 2036 edition remains open, and India has now formally expressed its intent to bid.
According to the Indian delegation's statement, the meeting was a critical opportunity to present the country's vision for hosting the Olympics in Ahmedabad. The delegation also received key insights from the IOC on the requirements to host the Games and the organisation's broader ambitions for the Olympic Movement.
Though Ahmedabad had long been viewed as the government's preferred venue, this marked the first official communication of that choice to the IOC.
The statement added that hosting the Olympics in India would significantly elevate the country's sporting landscape, giving 600 million young Indians a once-in-a-generation chance to witness the Games on home soil.
The bid was described as a transformational opportunity to drive socio-economic progress, spur innovation, improve education, and foster national pride. Rooted in the Indian ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the world is one family — the bid pledged to welcome the global community as one during the Games.
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India Today
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- India Today
NC Classic: How rare is a 90m throw and can Neeraj Chopra do it at home?
When the host of Friday's press conference for the Neeraj Chopra Classic addressed the large media contingent in Bengaluru, he made a cheeky remark: 'At last, there will be no questions about 90m to Neeraj, I believe.' It was a reference to Neeraj finally getting the monkey off his back earlier this year, recording his first-ever 90m throw at the Doha Diamond League: a magical 90.23m, ending one of the longest-running chases in world even if no one said it out loud, at least a few in the room were surely thinking: 'Neeraj, will we see another 90m - this time, at home?' The press conference largely focused on the significance of the Neeraj Chopra Classic, India's first-ever top-tier international javelin event, organised by the Olympic and world champion himself. Neeraj was joined on the dais by fellow Olympic medallists Thomas Rhler and Julius Yego, along with young Sachin Yadav, touted as the next big hope in Indian NC Classic is already shaping up to be a landmark event - not just for Indian athletics, but for the global javelin community. It signals a shift from a Europe-centric tradition to a broader international expansion. 'I feel like I'm in a dream,' Neeraj said, reflecting on the occasion's significance. The mood in the room echoed that sentiment. Rhler, the 2016 Olympic champion from Germany, spoke passionately about the responsibility senior athletes have to give back and help discover new talent in emerging countries. Yego, the 2015 world champion, said he didn't hesitate to accept Neeraj's invitation, highlighting the similarities between their journeys: his rise in long-distance obsessed Kenya, and Neeraj's emergence from cricket-mad India, both breaking the mould in their respective for Sachin, one of four young Indians in the 12-man field, the atmosphere was surreal. Sharing the stage with three Olympic medallists, he looked both star-struck and excited about the opportunity to compete in a meet that is expected to become an annual fixture on the World Athletics now finds himself wearing a new hat - that of an organiser. It's been a hectic week for him, filled with meetings with political leaders, sponsors and sports administrators, all geared towards making the Neeraj Chopra Classic a success story and a long-standing SPECIAL IN BENGALURU?But while the athlete in him has been juggling duties, he remains serious about his own competition on Saturday. The Bengaluru meet at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium will be his sixth of the year in what has already been a packed 2025 season. In June alone, Neeraj featured in two events, with everything building towards the World Championships in Tokyo this athlete in me is always up for the competition," he said. "That's why I'm trying to manage everything. My team is also handling a lot, but I'm training hard. After doing everything, I train. I did throw sessions too - so yes, I've got the mindset for this competition."Even on Friday evening, Neeraj made time for a long session at the venue after his media duties were done. Under the watchful eye of legendary coach Jan elezn, he sent the javelin soaring into the dusky Bengaluru the big question again: Can Neeraj throw 90 metres?Given his busy schedule and reduced training time in the lead-up to the NC Classic, it may not happen in Bengaluru — but make no mistake, he'll be going all to Julius Yego suggested that Bengaluru's weather — mild and breezy — could actually be conducive to big it's worth reiterating that the 90m question, while enticing, can be problematic. The pressure to hit that mark — and then to repeat it — is since Neeraj stunned the world with an 86.48m throw as a teenager at the U20 World Championships in 2016, that 90m question has followed him. The noise only grew louder when Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem hurled 92.97m in the Paris Olympics final, setting a new Olympic record. Neeraj gave it everything that day and still walked away with 89.45m and silver. He finally breached the mark in May this a 90m throw is a rarity — it's like a triple hundred in cricket.'Any 90m throw has a huge impact on the body. Once you have thrown 90m, the next thing you have to do is rest because the impact is very high,' Thomas Rohler, the owner of seven-plus 90m throws said on Friday.'Those watching need to understand that we have one ton of weight impact on the block foot, which is the weight of a small car. This is javelin throw. This is not yoga. It's really tough. Neeraj Chopra trains in Bengaluru. (Courtesy: PTI) advertisement'This is the impact and we have to train for impact and technique. Doing it again and again is a mental challenge and it's about dealing with the pressure from the outside. And as soon as you have thrown 90m, we all mess up with expectations.'Look at 2012, the Olympic gold was won by throwing 84m. Now people expect you to throw 90m. If you don't, people ask you 'was it a bad day?'. We need to see the percentage of people who throw over 90m: it's very small.'HOW RARE IS A 90M THROW?Statistically, 90m throws are exceptional. According to World Athletics data, among the top 8001 men's javelin distances since the 1986 redesign, only 129 have gone beyond 90m — that's just 1.61%.Total throws recorded: 8001Throws over 90m: 129Percentage: 1.61%elezn's 90m+ throws: 34 (all-time leader)Rhler's 90m+ throws: 7Neeraj's 90m+ throws: 1 (Doha, 2025)It brings us to a key piece of history. In 1984, East Germany's Uwe Hohn threw an absurd 104.86m — a mark that created panic in the sport. Two years later, in April 1986, the men's javelin was redesigned to bring distances down. The centre of gravity was shifted forward by 4cm, the tip was made blunter, and the tail section was adjusted to increase drag. These changes reduced throws by roughly 10% on average and brought the sport back under control. Jan elezn's 98.48m in 1996 remains the world record with the redesigned main reason the Technical Committee decided to change the rules for javelin construction was because of the increasingly frequent flat landings and the resulting discussions and protests because of attempts declared valid or invalid by competition judges,' according to World called them 'magical' for a reason. 'We should appreciate every one of those moments. There are very few chances in life to achieve it or to witness it,' he to today. Neeraj's best on Indian soil is 88.07m, achieved in Patiala in 2021. Can he go further in Bengaluru?With the Bengaluru crowd behind him and the energy of a meet built in his name, there's every reason to hope. Could the home crowd egg Neeraj on to double his count of the 90m biggie?If he does, if the Sree Kanteerava crowd witnesses a 90m throw on Saturday, it will be a moment for the ages. A perfect cherry on top of an already historic occasion.- EndsMust Watch
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Salute to sacrifice: How disability pension for armed forces veterans won legal sanctity
The Delhi High Court, in a landmark verdict, has delivered a decisive blow to the ministry of defence's move to deny disability pensions to hundreds of retired armed forces personnel.A division bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Shalinder Kaur dismissed nearly 300 writ petitions, upholding the Armed Forces Tribunal's rulings in favour of the veterans. The pension claims were initially denied due to the disability being deemed 'Neither Attributable nor Aggravated' (NANA) by the competent medical board, as per the pension December, INDIA TODAY's story War Over The Wounded (edition dated December 16, 2024) had highlighted the issue wherein the ministry of defence resorted to filing hundreds of appeals in higher courts to challenge disability pensions to armed forces personnel by contradicting the government's stated policy to reduce defence ministers Manohar Parrikar and Nirmala Sitharaman had issued directives not to challenge tribunal orders granting disability benefits. Yet the ministry continued to file appeals, often against widows and disabled soldiers. For veterans, the percentage of disability is a critical factor that determines their pension and associated benefits. In September 2023, the ministry of defence revised the disability benefit rules, but clarified that the rule would apply only to those persons who retire after September 21, 2023, with no retrospective of defence staff General Anil Chauhan made it clear the disability pension-related rules had been revised to protect genuine soldiers' requirements. 'A study was [done] to protect the genuine interest of the personnel, who acquired disability during service, while preventing the exploitation of its liberal provisions from misuse,' he July 1, while delivering the order, the high court bench stated that the purpose of granting disability pension to personnel of the Indian armed forces was to provide necessary financial support to those who had sustained a disability or illness during their service, due to service conditions.'It is not an act of generosity but a rightful and just acknowledgement of the sacrifices endured by them, which manifests in the form of disabilities/disorders suffered during their military service. Such a pension ensures that a soldier who suffers injury or disability due to service conditions is not left without support and is able to live with financial security and dignity. It is a measure that upholds the State's responsibility towards its soldiers, who have served the nation with courage and devotion,' the court on behalf of the government, the attorney general informed the high court that in the present batch of petitions, none of the 'individuals has been out of service'. Consequently, not a single one of them is, per se, eligible to be considered for the award of disability pension. He further submitted that the Armed Forces Tribunal did not consider the revised entitlement rule of 2008 by the ministry of defence while passing on judgment. 'Such a departure from the provisions clearly enunciated by the government of India has rendered its policies on the subject completely irrelevant, redundant and ineffective,' the attorney general challenging the disability element to pensioners, the attorney general submitted that in the current cases, the disabilities of the respondents were assessed by the Release Medical Board (RMB) as well as by the competent/appellate authorities as neither attributable to nor aggravated by the military service, after considering their entire medical history and service concluding his stand, the attorney general stated that the medical board consists of experts who thoroughly assess individuals and their complete medical history in accordance with the relevant medical provisions. Based on this examination, they determine whether the disability can be considered attributable to or aggravated by military service. 'Therefore, the courts, within their limited scope of judicial review, should refrain from disputing the opinion of the medical board unless there is compelling medical evidence on record to contradict it,' he the court stated that it must always be kept in view that the armed forces personnel, while defending the country, have to perform their duties in extremely harsh and inhuman weather and conditions, wherein surviving each day is a challenge. It is, therefore, incumbent upon the RMB to furnish cogent and well-reasoned justification for their conclusions that the disease/disability suffered by the personnel cannot be said to be attributable to or aggravated by such service onus is not discharged by the RMB by simply relying on when such disability/disease is noticed also said that it must be noted that even in peace stations, military service is inherently stressful due to a combination of factors, such as strict discipline, long working hours, limited personal freedom and constant readiness for deployment. The psychological burden of being away from family, living in isolated or challenging environments, and coping with the uncertainty of sudden transfers or duties adds to this strain. The toll of continuous combat training further contributes to mental fatigue.'Despite the absence of active conflict or the challenges of hard area postings, the demanding nature of military life at peace stations can significantly impact the overall well-being of personnel,' the court said, adding that soldiers are always aware that threat is never far environment, wherein danger is a constant reality for their peers and could become their own at any moment, creates a persistent state of mental and emotional strain that cannot be overlooked. Thus, military service, whether in peace locations or operational zones, inherently carries stress that may predispose armed force personnel to medical conditions, including hypertension, the court to India Today Magazine- Ends
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Who was Sewdass Sadhu, mentioned by PM Modi in Trinidad & Tobago speech?
Addressing a large gathering of the Indian diaspora in Port of Spain, Trinidad, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned several eminent personalities with Indian roots, including the mathematician and politician Dr Rudranath Capildeo (1920-70), the Trinidadian musician, 'King of Chutney' Sundar Popo, and the former West Indies batsman Daren Ganga. Modi also mentioned the somewhat lesser-known Sewdass Sadhu, an indentured labourer who is credited with single-handedly building the famous 'Temple in the Sea' in the Gulf of Paria, the shallow body of water between the island of Trinidad and Venezuela in the South American mainland. We look at the story of Sewdass Sadhu, sometimes called the Dashrath Majhi of Trinidad & Tobago. Also known as Sewdass Sadhu Shiva Mandir, the temple off Waterloo, Carapichaima, south of Port of Spain, was first constructed in 1955. The temple, surrounded by the scenic waters of the Gulf of Paria, is connected to land by a walkway, somewhat like the Haji Ali dargah in Mumbai. The 85-foot Hanuman statue at the Dattatreya temple in Carapichaima stands nearby. The Sewdass Sadhu Shiva Mandir is a spiritual and cultural landmark that attracts pilgrims and visitors from around the world. It has classic Hindu architectural features like domed mandaps, colourful gopurams (entrance towers that are a distinctive feature of Dravidian temple architecture), and ornate ceiling designs. The temple becomes a vibrant hub during religious celebrations in the country, which has a significant Hindu population with Indian roots, especially during festivals like Diwali. The Sadhu who built it Sewdass Sadhu had constructed the first temple on the seashore in 1947, but it was demolished because it was built in MacMillan Park, a private property belonging to Tate and Lyle Limited, a leading sugar company, and Sadhu was sent to prison. But he was determined to build the temple, and subsequently built it the sea, arguing that the water does not belong to any one individual. He did this alone, over 25 long years, using only his bicycle to transport building material to the site where an octagonal, one-storey temple finally came up. Sewdass Sadhu's story echoes that of Dashrath Majhi, the 'Mountain Man' of Bihar, who worked for 22 years with only a hammer and chisel to singlehandedly carve a path through rocks to connect his village Gehlaur to the city of Gaya. The diaspora connect Indian-origin people make up almost 40 per cent of the population of Trindad and Tobago. About half of all Indo-Trinidadians are Hindu; the rest are Muslim, Christian, Buddhist and Sikh. The first Indians arrived in the islands in 1845, mainly from Bhojpur and Awadh regions in today's Bihar and Uttar Pradesh respectively, as indentured labourers. In 2025, T&T is celebrating 180 years of the arrival of Indians. During his address, Prime Minister Modi announced that OCI cards would now be issued to the 6th generation of the people of Indian origin in Trinidad & Tobago. He also underscored that the Indian government will support several initiatives to nurture the Girmitiya legacy. Divya A reports on travel, tourism, culture and social issues - not necessarily in that order - for The Indian Express. She's been a journalist for over a decade now, working with Khaleej Times and The Times of India, before settling down at Express. Besides writing/ editing news reports, she indulges her pen to write short stories. As Sanskriti Prabha Dutt Fellow for Excellence in Journalism, she is researching on the lives of the children of sex workers in India. ... Read More
