This refers to the editorial “Need dispassionate analysis on India’s Olympic bid plan” (TGE, Oct 16). The PM Modi’s announcement at the IOC session that India will “leave no stone unturned” in its bid to host the 2036 Summer Olympic Games has brought cheers to the nation. In view of the hope that India will be a more than $6 trillion dollar economy by 2035, it will be a worthy cause to host the mega event lasting over 16 days. There is even a firm belief that India will win double-digit medals at Paris 2024. While such confidence is not entirely misplaced, conducting a mega event such as the Olympics is a huge challenge. Costs often skyrocket as experienced during both Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. It’s hard to envisage the viability of holding the Olympics at the moment. India needs to follow liberal visa policies facilitating visits of foreign players, coaches and spectators to India. It should not be the case of current World Cup cricket where Pakistani fans were denied access.
