Budapest Has a Strong Chance of Hosting the 2036 Olympics, Paris Games Expert Says

The French sports executive arrived in Hungary, along with CEO Etienne Thobois, at the invitation of the Hungarian Olympic Committee to share their experiences of hosting the Games.

“One of Hungary’s strengths is that Budapest has already successfully organized numerous sporting events.

Lorant told M4 Sport.

The leaders of the Paris bid also highlighted the long-term legacy of the Games. In the French capital, the Olympic Village was converted into apartments, new sports facilities were built, recreational opportunities on the Seine improved, and hosting the Games had a positive impact on tourism and employment. Étienne Thobois emphasized the importance of sustainability and noted that the goal of the Paris Games was to reduce the carbon footprint by half compared to previous Olympics.

Based on experience with hosting the Games, among the greatest challenges are securing support from various stakeholders and maintaining enthusiasm throughout a project that can last up to ten years. According to Thobois, the Olympics should not be expected to solve every urban problem, but with the right goals, they can contribute significantly to a city’s development. The two experts believe that Budapest’s existing experience and resources represent the most important starting point, and when deciding whether to host the Games, it is also necessary to consider what development opportunities the Olympics could open up for the country.

Interested parties must submit information about their proposals to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) by the end of November, followed by a series of strategic discussions with the IOC Executive Board beginning next March. The IOC will then narrow down the number of candidates and, after November 2028, conduct targeted negotiations with the selected candidates. The international organization will decide on the host city at its 2029 General Assembly.