Olympic Aspirations or Developmental Illusions? A Critical Analysis of India’s 2036 Olympic Goals and Mega Sports Events

India’s bid to host the 2036 Summer Olympics, with Ahmedabad as the proposed host city, reflects both national pride and a strategic attempt to project soft power. Anchored in the ambitious Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave, the initiative highlights India’s aspirations to join the ranks of Olympic host nations. This remarkable ambition raises concerns about feasibility, equity, and sustainability. Through a qualitative, comparative case analysis of past hosts—Canada (1976), Greece (2004), Brazil (2016), and Japan (2020) the present study examines India’s sports infrastructure, governance readiness, and socio-economic implications. Now the question is whether mega-events can drive inclusive development or whether they risk financial excess, urban inequality, and social displacement. The paper argues that while the Olympics could enhance India’s global image, they also carry significant risks. For the bid to succeed, India must balance international ambition with grassroots sports development, sustainable planning, and long-term legacy creation.