2030 for 2036, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• India will host the centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games (CWG) in 2030 in Ahmedabad.
• Ahmedabad is also the front-runner city for India's bid to host the 2036 Olympics.
• The CWG has faced challenges with host cities dropping out due to rising costs.
• India hosted the CWG in New Delhi in 2010, which was marred by corruption allegations.

Detailed Insights:

• India views hosting the CWG as a soft-power medium and an opportunity to promote sporting aspirations.
• Hosting big ticket events can inspire a generation and trigger infrastructural uplift.
• The CWG has diminished in sporting terms, with fewer disciplines and the absence of nations like the United States and China.
• India's performance in the Olympics following successful CWG performances has been inconsistent.
• India faces challenges with doping, which could negatively impact its standing.
• The financial outlay for the CWG needs careful consideration to avoid prohibitive costs.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Soft Power: The ability to influence others through culture, values, and ideas rather than coercion.
• Doping: The use of prohibited substances or methods to enhance athletic performance.