New Delhi: Mumbai has been selected as the host of the next International Olympic Committee (IOC) session to be held in 2023. India has got to host the IOC session after 40 years. In the ongoing 139th session in Beijing, India has won its bid after a long time. Earlier in 1983, the IOC session was held in New Delhi. In the session, IOC members discuss important topics such as the Olympic Charter and the choice of cities to host the Olympics. The Indian delegation in Beijing was led by India’s first woman IOC member Nita Ambani. Indian Olympic Association President Narinder Batra, Youth and Sports Affairs Minister Anurag Thakur, and Abhinav Bindra, India’s first individual gold medalist at the Olympics, were also part of the delegation.
Speaking on the occasion, IOC member Nita Ambani said, “It is an honor to lead the Indian delegation and share our passion and ambition to host such a prestigious Olympic session. India has made steady progress and has developed into a prosperous and self-confident nation. India last hosted an International Olympic Committee session in 1983. India is marching ahead to become one of the top three economies of the world and takes pride in itself as a vibrant nation full of diversities.”
Nita Ambani said, “India is a strong democracy with strong global ties, just like its relationship with the IOC. The spirit of India is with everyone and everyone is proud of it. 1.5 billion vaccines were arranged across the country. In addition, millions of vaccines were produced and exported to many countries around the world. India’s next generation is filled with a billion hopes and dreams inspired by the potential and power of creative energy.”
He further added, “Nearly half of India’s population (around 600 million) is under the age of 25, which makes the country one of the most important and exciting places to nurture and develop the Olympic Movement. Inspired by the Olympic Value Education program, it is our mission to identify potential talent and guide them to rise to the top in the world of sports. On the occasion of Olympic Session 2023, we propose to launch a series of specific sports development programs for youth from disadvantaged communities.”
Mrs. Ambani said, “It is our aspiration to host the Olympics in the future. It is our ambition to inspire every young Indian to embrace the Olympic values of friendship, excellence, and respect. The annual meeting of the IOC to be held in India in 2023 will play an important role in realizing this ambition. The session, to be held in the summer of 2023, will be held at the state-of-the-art, all-new Jio World Convention Center in Mumbai. Located in the heart of the city at the Bandra Kurla Complex, JWC is the largest convention center in India and will become operational by early 2022.”
