At the halfway stage of the World Cup, Qatar has already revealed its determination to host the Olympics in 2036

Reports are claiming that plans are already in place to mirror the current football tournament, with a likely date switch from the traditional Olympic summer date to the autumn in an attempt to avoid extreme heat.

Doha hosted the World Athletics Championships in 2019 at the Khalifa International Stadium, and since then, the IOC has changed the process for awarding from a traditional bidding process to selecting a preferred candidate from interested cities.

“The success so far of this World Cup puts Qatar in a strong position – they have shown they can do this… it is a proof of concept,” Reuters learned from an unnamed source. 

“They hosted the Asian Games in 2006; and will be hosting them again in 2030.”

A successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup, following a £150 billion-plus outlay, is likely to strengthen the credentials for the country.

Qatari officials are understood to have previously met with President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, yet no firm decision was made.

Doha bid formally for the 2016 and 2020 Summer Olympics, but was not shortlisted either time. It had also explored a 2024 bid although it never reached a formal stage. There are six other nations who have already been linked with bids for 2036.

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