Sports

Indonesia has big plans. It recently unveiled surprise plans to bid for the 2032 Olympics recently after its successful staging of the Asian Games.

President Joko Widodo revealed Indonesia’s intentions after talks with Olympics chief Thomas Bach and Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, head of the Olympic Council of Asia.

“Indonesia has planned to immediately register itself as a candidate for the 2032 Olympics host,” Widodo said in a televised statement.

Bach, who is expected to attend Sunday’s closing ceremony, welcomed the announcement and said he was impressed by the Asian Games.

“I could congratulate the president on the great success of the Asian Games which is very impressive,” said Bach. “Therefore the IOC really appreciates the candidature of Indonesia for the Olympic Games in 2032,” he added.

Erick Thohir, head of Games organising committee Inasgoc, said the discussions with the IOC chief were “very friendly and enthusiastic”. Bach was “open” to the proposal and “accepted that Indonesia become one of the host candidates for Olympics 2032”, he said.

The Indonesian government would formally send a bid letter to the IOC after the Asian Games, Thohir added.

Indonesia’s announcement reflects the growing clout and resources of countries in Asia, which is hosting three Olympics within the space of four years.

After this year’s Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, Tokyo is holding the 2020 Summer Games and Beijing will host the winter edition in 2022 – becoming the first city to organise both the summer and winter Games.

The 2032 Olympics are the next Summer Games up for grabs as following Tokyo 2020, Paris will host in 2024 and Los Angeles in 2028.

Thohir said the Indonesian government was in discussions to host more major international sports events before the potential Olympics. Indonesia is already due to host the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup along with Japan and the Philippines, he noted.

“Many of our venues are world-class venues, if you look at our athletics stadium, our velodrome, football fields, rowing,” he said. “We have to make sure we keep continuing to become host for world events until the IOC and other members are supporting Indonesia for Olympic 2032. It is a long process. I think we are ready,” he added.

Here’s to hoping it won’t be long before other nations in the region are able to follow suit.

Source: AFPRelaxnews

Related: Why Asians Can’t Play Football