Nita Ambani's IOC journey: From Olympic dream in 2004 to key decisions taken in Mumbai 2023

The 141st IOC Session in Mumbai has turned out to be quite the historic affair so far. Not only is the high-profile event taking place on Indian soil only for the second time after New Delhi 1983, it also witnessed cricket’s return to the Olympic fold for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced his country’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics, insisting they would “leave no stone unturned” to achieve it.

A major credit for bringing the IOC Session to India and for boosting the country’s image as a sporting nation goes for Reliance Foundation Founder and Chairperson Nita Ambani.

Ambani had expressed her desire to see the biggest sporting event in the world take place in India nearly two decades ago.

“It is my wish that in the years to come, there will come a day when we will witness the Olympic ceremony take place in our country, and this day surely will come,” Ambani had said in an interview on Doordarshan Sports during the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

Ambani would then become an IOC member in 2016, becoming the first woman from her country to get appointed in the role. Six years later, during the 139th IOC Session in Beijing, Ambani successfully managed to get Mumbai confirmed as the venue for the 141st Session.

“Together, with you, we want to open the doors of opportunity to millions of young Indians. It is time to write the future of sport. I ignite our potential with the spirit of Olympism,” Ambani had said in her address to the IOC members in Beijing, following which Mumbai would be picked as the venue after securing majority of the votes.

History would then be created on Day 2 of the 141st Session in Mumbai when cricket, along with four other sports — baseball/softball, lacrosse (sixes), flag football and squash — were the five additional sports for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“As an IOC Member, a proud Indian and an ardent cricket fan, I am delighted that IOC members have voted to include cricket as an Olympic sport in the LA Summer Olympics, 2028. It’s truly a day of great joy and jubilation,” Ambani said on Monday.

It remains to be seen if India does end up bagging the hosting rights for the 36th Summer Olympics and Paralympics. The IOC has said a decision isn’t expected to take place before “2026 or 2027”.