Qatar has officially joined talks with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) about hosting the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games, marking a bold step to bring the Games to the Middle East and North Africa for the first time.
Led by the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), the bid is being guided by its president, Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, who also chairs the bid team.
He says the goal is simple but ambitious: to use sport as a tool for unity, peace, and development across the region.
“We believe in the power of sport to bring people and cultures together,” said Sheikh Joaan. “This bid reflects our hope to make sport a force for inclusion not just for Qatar, but the region as a whole.”
Qatar isn’t new to global sport. It has hosted 18 world championships in 12 Olympic sports over the past two decades, including the 2019 World Athletics Championships and the FIFA World Cup in 2022 praised worldwide for its organization and fan experience.
According to the QOC, 95% of the needed infrastructure for the Olympics is already in place. The focus now, they say, is on delivering a world-class experience and creating long-lasting impact, not building from scratch.
The Doha 2036 bid ties directly into Qatar’s National Vision 2030, which focuses on human development, sustainability, and innovation. The QOC wants to use the Games as a platform to promote inclusion, represent Arab culture, and empower young people especially those often left out of the sports conversation.
“This isn’t just about hosting,” Sheikh Joaan said. “It’s about showing what our region can offer and building a new legacy of peace, respect, and opportunity.”
If selected, Doha would become the first Arab city to host the Olympics and Paralympics. The bid also includes partnerships to support sports development across the region, along with youth programs and inclusive initiatives for underrepresented groups.
Qatar is currently in the IOC’s ongoing dialogue phase, which replaces traditional bidding with collaborative discussions. This new model favors planning, readiness, and long-term value areas where Qatar feels well prepared.
