How the Continental Tour units the bedrock for India’s Olympics dream
India is about to host its first-ever World Athletics Continental Tour occasion on Sunday, August 10. The occasion is going down within the quaint metropolis of Bhubaneshwar, which has quietly however persistently laid down the constructing blocks for India’s world sporting ambitions.
The Continental Tour, which is only one rung beneath the distinguished Diamond League occasion, goes to be India’s first foray into the year-round competitors schedule. Whereas that is going to be a ‘bronze degree’ occasion, the bottom amongst the three ranges of the Continental Tour, its significance goes far past that tag.
For a rustic that has overtly declared its need to host the 2036 Olympic Video games, this is among the first actual exams, not simply of infrastructure however of intent, organisation, and credibility.
Over the previous yr, each PM Narendra Modi and Residence Minister Amit Shah have mentioned it out loud: India needs to host the Olympics in 2036.
Ahmedabad has already been pitched because the central venue, with different cities like Bhopal (rowing), Goa (soccer and crusing) anticipated to play satellite tv for pc roles.
Whereas these are the early outlines of an bold dream, it’s on the jap fringe of the nation — in Odisha — the place a few of the groundwork is already being laid. Bhubaneshwar has not simply emerged as a hub for hockey however is now entering into the athletics highlight.
Why Bhubaneshwar?
The Continental Tour, for the uninitiated, is a collection of world meets underneath the World Athletics umbrella — one step beneath the Diamond League. In Bhubaneshwar, almost 160 athletes from 17 international locations will compete. It’s not a large occasion by worldwide requirements, but it surely’s high-level sufficient to show heads.
And that’s the purpose.
Adille Sumariwalla, former AFI chief and at the moment one of many vice presidents of World Athletics, advised India As we speak in an unique interplay that getting the occasion wasn’t simple — it needed to be earned.
“We needed to host a silver or gold degree occasion, however they gave us bronze because it was our first time. We needed to pitch for it. We confirmed them the medals we’ve been profitable globally. We made our case.”
Sumariwalla broke down what it takes to carry such an occasion to India.
“It’s important to pitch the occasion. Make a case for why they need to give it to you. Then they assess whether or not you’ve got the potential or not. In the event you don’t, they received’t danger it as a result of the efficiency of the occasion impacts future choices. If it’s not run correctly, then the complete course of is questioned.”
Earlier than the inexperienced gentle was given, World Athletics checked every little thing — stadium infrastructure, logistics, transport hyperlinks, air connectivity, you identify it. Sumariwalla says that is primarily like conducting a mini Asian Championships. “The tools requirements are the identical. The competitors format is international-level. We’ve taken care of all that.”
How have been the World Athletics Officers Satisfied?
The seed for this was planted in 2017, when Bhubaneshwar hosted the Asian Athletics Championships. That’s when India actually started to alter minds throughout the World Athletics group.
“The President of World Athletics was right here, the CEO was right here, the Communications Director, the Worldwide Affairs Director — all of them noticed the standard of the occasion. That left an impression,” Sumariwalla mentioned.
That’s when the narrative shifted. That’s when India went from a rustic with potential to a rustic with functionality.
India’s Olympic Desires
Internet hosting this bronze-level meet is barely the 1st step. The AFI and the Odisha authorities are already considering forward. The expectation is {that a} profitable occasion right here will result in silver or gold degree meets subsequent — perhaps even a Diamond League within the subsequent few years.
“We’re one hundred pc bidding for the 2029 and 2031 World Athletics Championships. 2027 is with China, in order that’s gone. However we’re making ready bids — one for Bhubaneshwar and one other for Ahmedabad,” Sumariwalla revealed.
If these bids undergo, it places India on a practical timeline towards an eventual Olympics bid. For many years, the concept of internet hosting the Olympics felt like a distant fantasy — one thing that occurred in cities like London, Beijing, or Los Angeles. However with each worldwide occasion pulled off easily, each medal received on the world stage, and each small metropolis that steps as much as the worldwide sporting highlight, India chips away at that narrative.
Bhubaneshwar isn’t simply internet hosting a bronze-level meet. It carries the assumption that world sport can thrive right here, that India can ship, particularly on the largest stage.
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