Doha, Qatar – The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) announced on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, the official formation of a bid committee for the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This move confirms the wealthy Middle Eastern nation’s intention to host the prestigious multi-sport event, 14 years after successfully staging the FIFA World Cup.
This latest endeavor marks another attempt by Qatar to bring the Summer Games to Doha, following previous bids that did not advance to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) candidate list. Most recently, Doha was overlooked in favor of Brisbane for the 2032 Olympics.
Leveraging Infrastructure and Experience
The Qatari committee emphasized the nation’s established track record as a major international sports hub.5 Despite past criticisms from human rights organizations leading up to the 2022 World Cup, the QOC highlighted its successful hosting of numerous world championships across various disciplines and significant investments in “world-class infrastructure that reflects the country’s long-term commitment to excellence and sustainability in sport.”
The QOC stated that the newly formed bid committee will “engage national stakeholders and international partners to shape a proposal that is technically strong, socially inclusive and globally relevant.” The bid aims to “reflect a unified national vision that builds on Qatar’s track record, speaks to the potential of the region and upholds the enduring values of excellence, friendship and respect that define the Olympic and Paralympic movements.”
Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, will serve as the chairman of the bid committee, signaling the high-level commitment to the endeavor.
Addressing the Heat Challenge
One notable aspect that the QOC did not immediately address in its announcement was the proposed timing for the 2036 Games. The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar had to be controversially moved to November and December due to the extreme summer heat in the region.11 The IOC traditionally prefers the July-August slot for the Summer Olympics, posing a potential challenge for Qatar’s bid.
Qatar joins a growing list of nations that have either expressed interest or entered into dialogue with the IOC for the 2036 Games, including India (Ahmedabad), Indonesia (Nusantara), South Korea (North Jeolla), Chile (Santiago), and others. Under the IOC’s reformed bidding process, interested cities engage in a “continuous dialogue” rather than a traditional competitive bidding war, allowing for alignment with Olympic movement goals like sustainability and cost-effectiveness. The final decision on the 2036 host is not expected for several years.
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