Doha, October 06 (QNA) - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has officially included Qatar on the list of interested parties to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games, marking a new step in the country’s ambition to host the world’s largest sporting event.

The announcement came as the IOC revealed the next steps in the process of selecting the host of the 2036 Games, publishing a handbook for potential hosts along with a confirmed list of interested parties hoping to progress through each stage of the revised selection process.

Qatar’s inclusion among the interested parties marks the beginning of a new phase in its bid journey, building on the country’s accumulated experience and proven track record of hosting and organising major international sporting events.

Welcoming the confirmation, Fatima Sultan Al Kuwari, CEO of the Doha 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Bid Committee, said: “It is no secret that Qatar has shown an ambition to bid for the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Today, that ambition has been justified by the IOC’s confirmation that Qatar has been named as an interested party.”

Al Kuwari stressed that the step marked the beginning of a new phase in the bid process, saying: “This is just the beginning of a long journey in which we hope to build on Qatar’s proven track record of hosting major international events. We believe Doha 2036 would offer a future-ready model for the Games that is athlete-centred, connected, accessible and designed to ensure that sport and society emerge stronger long after 2036.”

She concluded: "This is a unique opportunity to celebrate sporting excellence, culture and human connection, bringing the Olympic and Paralympic Games to a new region. We are excited by the journey." (QNA)