2036 Olympic Host Bidding: Must Compete With Qatar, Non-State Indonesia

Chairman of the Indonesian Olympic Committee Raja Sapta Oktohari. (Photo: Doc. NOC Indonesia)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian Olympic Committee (NOC) Raja Sapta Oktohari is confident that Indonesia can host the 2036 Olympics even though it has to compete with Qatar.

Indonesia's desire to participate in the bidding for the host of the prestigious four-year event was originally conveyed by President Joko Widodo in front of the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach at the November G20 meeting in Bali, some time ago.

However, Indonesia has a serious competitor. The reason is, Qatar, which has just successfully organized the 2022 FIFA World Cup, wants to make an offer to host.

"We have to be confident. Our president is so confident to host the G20 and it steals the world's attention. Indonesia is always ready, economically we are the G20 country. So, there are many factors that I think Indonesia can also become the host," said Okto.

This is not the first time Indonesia has volunteered to host the most prestigious multi-branch event. In the 2032 Indonesia Olympics, they also offered to, but lost to Australia.

Meanwhile, Qatar even made more than once bidding. They were previously recorded to have volunteered for the hosts 2016, 2020, and 2024, but lost to Brazil, Japan, and Australia.

For 2036, Qatar is not the only country that is the favorite to host that can beat Indonesia. Egypt, India, England, Turkey, Spain and Russia, could also be serious competitors for Indonesia.

Okto said that so far he has a good relationship with Qatar so they will continue to communicate to find out which country will be most prepared to host.

"We just prepare ourselves because the Olympics are not forever. There are also 2036 2040. So it's just a matter of communication which is better prepared. And we believe, if it is prepared, Indonesia is also arguably better prepared because our track record is not just the 2023 U-20 World Cup," he said.

It is planned that Indonesia will propose to host the capital city of Nusantara (IKN). The IOC also wants to be involved in the construction of suggestions and infrastructure from the start.