NEW DELHI (AP) – Olympic Council of Asia secretary-general Randhir Singh says International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach’s visit to India will boost the profile of Olympic sports in the country irrespective of whether it bids for the Olympic Games.
Bach was due to arrive late on Sunday with a meeting scheduled with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday amid speculation that India wants to bid for the 2024 Olympics.
“We’ve been hearing about the government being keen to bid for the Games but I think we have to wait and see how things go,” Randhir told The Associated Press on Sunday. “I think the IOC chief’s visit will boost sports federations and bring them in the limelight, which too is good for sports.”
India’s chances are considered slim because Rome, Boston and Hamburg are already declared candidates for 2024 and a host of other cities including Paris are expected to join the race.
“There is also the chance that India bids later. But the very fact that the IOC president and our prime minister are meeting, brings Olympic sports into focus,” said Randhir, who is also an IOC member.