International Olympic Committee (IOC) vice-president Juan Antonio Samaranch beams as he reflects on his two-decade journey with the organization, recalling how he was introduced to this world as a child. For him, running for the presidency in next week’s election feels like a "privilege."

In a chat with HT, the Spaniard, who is the son of the late Juan Antonio Samaranch, IOC president from 1980 to 2001, shares his thoughts on India's growing significance in the Olympic movement, its bid for the 2036 Games, and how climate change might impact the scheduling of future Games.

Here are some highlights:

Hosting the Olympics can be a costly endeavor. We've seen some countries back out of the Commonwealth Games due to these expenses. How can this be tackled?

This challenge became clear about ten years ago when we noticed a dwindling interest or capability among many regions and cities to host the Games. At one point, we only had two strong candidates for the 2024 Games. The team back then made a bold move by awarding the Games to both Paris (2024) and LA (2028). Today, the landscape is different. Many regions, especially India, are eager to host the Games in 2036 or 2040. Thanks to Agenda 2020 and 2020+5, which have made organizing the Games more affordable and practical, we’re entering a new era that makes financial sense.

What are your thoughts on India’s bid for the 2036 Olympics?

We pride ourselves on being a universal organization, and you can’t claim universality without India stepping up to take its rightful place in the Olympic movement. This includes having Olympic teams, winning medals, hosting events, and eventually the Games themselves. The final decision on the Olympics will be made by the IOC governance body. However, India’s candidacy is fantastic news for the world. It signifies your arrival, and we’re excited to support you in claiming your rightful position in the Olympic movement.

India hasn't historically been a powerhouse in the Olympic scene, and its medal count doesn't quite match that of other leading nations. So, what can India bring to the table to help grow the Olympic movement?

India is a vibrant mix of cultures and traditions. While winning medals is important, it's not the only focus. India needs to elevate its training programs and develop teams that can compete at a world-class level. More importantly, India represents a significant portion of global youth and society. We need your involvement.

Unlike Paris, which mainly utilized existing venues, India plans to create many new facilities from the ground up. Is this approach in line with the IOC's conservation goals?

Let’s be clear: the Olympic Games aren’t just about constructing new venues. We don’t want candidate cities to hinge on massive infrastructure projects that aren’t part of the community’s long-term plans. We’re only there for 16 days! That infrastructure should benefit the community for a century. We can adapt to different locations, and we have seen successful development projects in places like London 2012 and Barcelona 1992, where Olympic investment energized local initiatives. I’m not against building new stadiums, but they need to serve the community for years to come. If a proposed project raises doubts about its lasting impact, we’re not interested. It’s that simple.

One of the IOC's key requirements is that the National Olympic Committee (NOC) must be well-organized. Currently, India faces some challenges in this area.

I’ve been visiting India often and have met with several officials. I’m confident these issues will be addressed because they need to be resolved. It’s essential.

Climate change is looming over the Olympics. Do you think we might need to shift the timing of the Summer Games?

I've made it clear in my manifesto that we can't just ignore 1.5 billion people who are impacted by climate change when it comes to celebrating the Games. The climate isn't going to adjust to fit our sports calendar, so we need to adjust the calendar to fit the climate. We have to ensure that no region is at a disadvantage in the race to host the Olympics because of climate issues. So yes, if it comes down to it, we might have to change the Olympic dates.

You've been with the IOC for quite a while and are currently the vice-president. What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the movement today?

First off, we need to keep the Games strong and relevant in the upcoming editions. Then, in this complex world filled with tension and new realities, we must ensure that our commitment to universality remains our core purpose. If it's harder to uphold those principles now, it’s even more crucial that we work diligently to maintain these values. Lastly, all of this will require more funding.

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