DOHA: The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) has announced a campaign to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
If successful, the Gulf state would be the first Middle Eastern or North African country to host the tournament.
Qatar hosted the men's FIFA World Cup in 2022 and already has 95 percent of the necessary sports infrastructure in place to host the Games, as well as a complete national strategy to ensure 100 percent readiness of all facilities, according to QOC president Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani.
"This decision demonstrates Qatar's unwavering dedication to supporting the Olympic and Paralympic Movements, as well as its strong desire in playing an active role in the advancement of global sport," the QOC said in a statement.
It stated: "Building on the tremendous success of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, we reaffirm our desire to bring the world together under the banner of the Olympic values, as we did in 2022, when Doha welcomed over one million visitors from all over the world.
Our journey to 2022 was one of significant growth. Qatar's attempts to nurture skills and provide economic prospects for all of its citizens will be capped off in 2036 with a new sort of legacy: an accomplishment that builds on that basis.
"This plan is based on a long-term goal of establishing a socially, economically, and ecologically sustainable legacy. Our goal is more than just putting together a great event; we want to provide a worldwide experience that promotes the principles of inclusion, sustainability, and worldwide cooperation. "
The new IOC president, Kirsty Coventry, stated last month that her organisation will investigate the method for selecting Games hosts.
Other confirmed bids for 2036 are from Istanbul (Turkey), Ahmedabad (India), Nusantara (Indonesia), and Santiago (Chile). According to sources, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Egypt, Italy, Germany, Denmark, and Canada are considering bids.
Qatar has previously tried to host the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, but the honors went to Rio and Tokyo.
The Summer Olympics are planned for Los Angeles in 2028 and Brisbane, Australia, in 2032.
Doha, Qatar's capital, will host the Asian Games in 2030, a year after Saudi Arabia hosts the Asian Winter Games in Trojena.
Saudi Arabia was the lone bid to win the rights to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. (With contributions from agencies)
