The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced a pause on the host selection process for the 2036 Olympics, meaning India will have to wait longer than expected to know their fate as they aim to host the world's most prestigious multi-sport event for the first time.

Last year, India had submitted a letter of intent to the IOC to host the 2036 games and a decision was expected by next year. Turkey, Indonesia, and Chile have also confirmed their intention to bid, with a few more cities expected to enter the process.

However, the process has now been delayed, with the IOC yet to determine when the announcement will be made. Infact, the governing body's newly elected president, Kirsty Coventry, stated that they want to figure out an appropriate time to announce the hosts for 2036 while also involving all bidders in the process.

"There was an overwhelming support from the IOC members for a pause to be done and a review of the future host election process and we will be setting up a working group to look into this,. (This is) for two main reasons. Firstly, members want to be engaged more in the process and secondly there was a very big discussion on when should the next host be awarded," he added in her opening remarks after the two-day meeting. So there was a lot of discussion on when is the appropriate time to elect a future host. And also how we should be selecting a future host," said Coventry in a press conference on Thursday (June 26).

"We want all interested parties to be a part of this pause and reflect and of this review. I am aware of the delegation coming next weekend that will continue. They might be the first interested party for us to ask a couple of questions and to better understand from them.There is not going to be a specific pause on that but just on the entire process," Coventry added.

An Indian delegation is set to hold informal talks with the IOC next month, and that meeting will go ahead despite today's decision.

Coventry, who is IOC's first female as well as African president, hinted her interest at India hosting the event by pointing out that the global south have not figured in the cities to host the Olympics so far.

"I think the Global South, in terms of host cities, is not really represented at all. But my job is to ensure that policies are in place to allow anyone who has the ability to host the Games," said the former Zimbabwe swimmer.

While India is yet to officially name a city, it is widely speculated that Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar will be at the centre of the bid. Although some other cities could also host events.

Ahmedabad has also emerged as the favourites to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games.