Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X
For Quick Alerts
ALLOW NOTIFICATIONS  
For Daily Alerts

Asian Games 2018: Indonesia needs to keep it up to host 2032 Olympics: IOC chief Thomas Bach

Indonesia needs to keep its momentum after the Asian Games 2018 if it wants to host the 2032 Olympics, IOC chief Thomas Bach said.

By Pti
A file picture of Thomas Bach, the IOC president, with the Indian mens hockey team

Jakarta, September 2: Indonesia needs to keep its momentum and not fall into a "black hole" after the Asian Games 2018 if it wants to host the 2032 Olympics, IOC chief Thomas Bach said on Sunday (September 2).

Indonesia Has A Good Chance Of Hosting The Olympics - Thomas Bach

Bach said Indonesia had the right ingredients to host the world's biggest multi-sports event, following President Joko Widodo's surprise announcement of a bid. The Southeast Asian country has defied expectations to hold a mainly smooth Asian Games, which has a bumper 17,000 athletes and officials, and 40 sports.

Asian Games special page | Medals tally

"With the success of this Asian Games Indonesia has laid a very solid foundation for such a candidature," Bach, the International Olympic Committee president, said ahead of the closing ceremony. "You can see the ingredients are there, you see a young, enthusiastic nation. Passionate about sports, working with high efficiency in the organisation... so, I think it will be a very strong candidature."

"I think what is important now for Indonesia is keep the momentum of this Games," he added. "So for you now not to fall into a black hole the moment after everybody has left."

The Asian Games is by far the biggest sports event held in Indonesia. The 2011 Southeast Games in the country were marked by corruption scandals, delays and two deaths in a stadium stampede.

But Bach said he was encouraged that Indonesia's government would maintain enthusiasm after the Games, partly by encouraging more people to play sports. He added that eSports, which debuted as a demonstration sport, had a number of "obstacles to be overcome" before it can be considered for the Olympics.

eSports' lack of a unified body, the commercial interests of games manufacturers and violent or adult content were all problems, he said. "Some people still have some doubts whether it's really sport, what is being done there," said Bach. "We have to draw very clear red line saying that no game which is contrary to the Olympic values can have a place in the Olympic podium," he added.

Story first published: Sunday, September 2, 2018, 17:36 [IST]
Other articles published on Sep 2, 2018