IOC President Thomas Bach "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," according to the PTI. Bach also said that the 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." Bach met Modi "at his official residence." 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" (PTI, 4/27). NDTV reported Bach expressed "surprise" at media reports. Bach: "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." Amid "growing expectations that India may make its first bid to host the Olympic Games," 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 also considered that launching a successful bid for 2024 (before the deadline of Sep. 15) may be difficult" (NDTV, 4/27).
