Qatar recently confirmed that it’s in negotiations with the International Olympic Committee regarding hosting the Olympic Games in 2036. This is part of a Qatari strategy to become a global hub for sporting events after hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
The competition to host the Olympic Games is expected to be tough. Alongside Qatar, many countries have already announced their candidacy, and its large western neighbor, Saudi Arabia, is also considering submitting a bid. The chances of each country are influenced by various factors, including economic capabilities, previous experience in organizing international sporting events, political considerations within the Olympic Committee, and the question of the geographical distribution of the Olympics.
Hosting the 2022 World Cup gives Qatar an advantage over the other candidates. Qatar has a high level of infrastructure readiness—the president of the Qatari Olympic Committee emphasized that 95% of the sports facilities already exist in the country. In addition, it brings proven experience in managing global sporting events. However, it also faces disadvantages: Its international image has been damaged due to its ties with Hamas, and it suffered ongoing criticism over workers’ and migrant labor rights during the World Cup. Because of this, the Olympic Committee may hesitate to choose it.
In the Middle Eastern arena, Qatar and Saudi Arabia may find themselves in competition. Saudi Arabia, already set to host the 2034 World Cup, is now considering bidding for the Olympics as well, reflecting both the regional rivalry between the two states and the Gulf’s rise as a central player in the world of global sports. Another possibility is granting hosting rights to two or more countries—the geographical proximity of Saudi Arabia and Qatar could allow them to host the Olympics together. In such a case, there would likely also be a need to move the Olympic Games to the winter due to the Gulf’s summer conditions.
If Qatar wins the hosting of the Olympic Games (and Paralympic Games), it will be the first Middle Eastern country to do so. It is indeed in a better position than it was two decades ago when its previous attempts to host the Olympics failed, but from now on, it will have to contend with criticism of its policies and with competition from its Gulf neighbors.
Qatar recently confirmed that it’s in negotiations with the International Olympic Committee regarding hosting the Olympic Games in 2036. This is part of a Qatari strategy to become a global hub for sporting events after hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
The competition to host the Olympic Games is expected to be tough. Alongside Qatar, many countries have already announced their candidacy, and its large western neighbor, Saudi Arabia, is also considering submitting a bid. The chances of each country are influenced by various factors, including economic capabilities, previous experience in organizing international sporting events, political considerations within the Olympic Committee, and the question of the geographical distribution of the Olympics.
Hosting the 2022 World Cup gives Qatar an advantage over the other candidates. Qatar has a high level of infrastructure readiness—the president of the Qatari Olympic Committee emphasized that 95% of the sports facilities already exist in the country. In addition, it brings proven experience in managing global sporting events. However, it also faces disadvantages: Its international image has been damaged due to its ties with Hamas, and it suffered ongoing criticism over workers’ and migrant labor rights during the World Cup. Because of this, the Olympic Committee may hesitate to choose it.
In the Middle Eastern arena, Qatar and Saudi Arabia may find themselves in competition. Saudi Arabia, already set to host the 2034 World Cup, is now considering bidding for the Olympics as well, reflecting both the regional rivalry between the two states and the Gulf’s rise as a central player in the world of global sports. Another possibility is granting hosting rights to two or more countries—the geographical proximity of Saudi Arabia and Qatar could allow them to host the Olympics together. In such a case, there would likely also be a need to move the Olympic Games to the winter due to the Gulf’s summer conditions.
If Qatar wins the hosting of the Olympic Games (and Paralympic Games), it will be the first Middle Eastern country to do so. It is indeed in a better position than it was two decades ago when its previous attempts to host the Olympics failed, but from now on, it will have to contend with criticism of its policies and with competition from its Gulf neighbors.