Seven-country race develops for the 2036 Olympics

The IOC has identified seven interested countries for the 2036 Games: India, Qatar, South Africa, Germany's Munich, Hungary, Turkey and South Korea. South Africa could bring the Olympics to Africa for the first time, while Qatar is reportedly well positioned; the October 31 expression-of-interest deadline, November presentations, heat management and governance scrutiny remain key milestones before an expected mid-2029 vote.