International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach on Monday laid to rest speculations about India's possible bid for 2024 Olympics, saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not propose it in their meeting.
Bach also said that IOC thought that it would be too soon for the country to host a successful Games as the national Olympic body has come out of suspension only last year.
Visiting India for the first time after being elected as IOC chief in 2013, Bach met the Prime Minister at his official residence in New Delhi during his brief one-day stay in the country.
He also had separate meetings with top officials of the Indian Olympic Association and the sports ministry earlier in the day, besides attending a lunch hosted by sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal at a city hotel.
Bach, who hails from Germany and himself an Olympian fencer, said at a press conference that he was surprised by the speculation in the media that India may bid for 2024 Olympic Games. He clarified that he checked it with the Prime Minister, who said the country would rather host the Olympics "after full preparation and after having expertise".
"We were aware of the speculation (about India's possible bid for 2024 Games). We were a bit surprised about this speculation because we thought it may be too quick for India to host a successful Olympic Games. I am happy that India has come out of suspension last year but the IOA has to find its feet," Bach said. "So, we checked with the Prime Minister (regarding the possible bid) and he said he wants to be well prepared and have expertise before doing that. He (the PM) also considered that launching a successful bid for 2024 (before deadline of September 15) may be difficult," Bach said, elaborating about his meeting with the Prime Minister, which he described as "excellent".
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"We were aware of the speculation (about India's possible bid for 2024 Games). We were a bit surprised about this speculation because we thought it may be too quick for India to host a successful Olympic Games. I am happy that India has come out of suspension last year but the IOA has to find its feet," Bach said. "So, we checked with the Prime Minister (regarding the possible bid) and he said he wants to be well prepared and have expertise before doing that. He (the PM) also considered that launching a successful bid for 2024 (before deadline of September 15) may be difficult," Bach said, elaborating about his meeting with the Prime Minister, which he described as "excellent".
Read: IOC chief to meet PM Modi, refuels speculations of 2024 Olympic bid
Read: Central govt may bid for the 2024 Olympics, but can India afford it?