'I am willing to help': US Ambassador Eric Garcetti supports India's plan to bid for hosting 2036 Olympics

Eric Garcetti, the United States Ambassador to India, has backed India’s planned bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games, saying that he has spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and was ready to help if any advice was needed.

“I told Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘if you want any advice on Olympic bid, am willing to help,” Garcetti, former Los Angeles Mayor in charge of the city’s successful 2028 bid, told News18 in an interview.

During his keynote address at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) opening ceremony at the Jio World Convention Centre on Saturday, PM Modi said that India would d leave “no stone unturned’ in their efforts to host the 2036 Olympics.

“Indians are very excited about hosting the Olympics Games. India will leave no stone unturned in organising the 2036 Olympics,” PM Modi had said.

“This is a dream of 140 crore Indians. We want to fulfil this dream with your support. We are willing to host the 2029 Youth Olympics. I am sure India will get constant support from IOC,” he had added.

Cricket will be a part of the Olympics in 2028, for only the second time in history of the Games. The only time cricket was part of the Olympics before was in 1900, when Great Brotain won gold by beating France.

Garcetti termed India as a “cricket-crazy nation.” “India is the most cricket-crazy country in the world. This is the fastest present we could give to India and to the fans of cricket, especially two days after India defeated Pakistan (in the ICC World Cup match),” he added.

The 141^st IOC Session is being held in Mumbai from 15 October to 17 October.