Qatar is in formal talks with the International Olympic Committee about the possibility of hosting a future Summer Olympic Games, but the question of moving the event to a different time of year is “pure speculation”, the IOC told Host City.

Qatar is one of eleven prospective hosts in talks with the IOC about future Summer Olympic Games. 

Following an IOC Executive Board Meeting in which climate-driven changes to future Winter Games host city selection were discussed, Host City asked the IOC if it would consider allowing a Summer Olympic Games in the winter months to enable a bid from the Middle East.

“This would be pure speculation at this point in time,” the IOC Media Relation office said in an email.

The rules regarding the months in which the Games can take place have not changed in nearly 20 years.

“As per an IOC Executive Board decision in 2003, and as clearly stated in the Future Host Questionnaire for the Olympic Games, the duration of the competitions of the Olympic Games shall not exceed sixteen days and the dates of the Olympic Summer Games shall be chosen within the period: 15 July to 31 August,” the IOC explained.

“The final dates for the holding of the Games, including the number of days of competition and the scheduling of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Games, is decided by the IOC in consultation with the Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (OCOG).”

The National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Qatar is one of 11 NOCs from four continents interested in hosting the Olympic Games, either in Continuous Dialogue or informal exchange with the IOC.

The NOC of Qatar are taking part in Continuous Dialogue with the IOC. “These discussions are not linked to a particular year or edition of the Games and there is no longer a fixed election cycle, as in the past,” the IOC said.

The next Summer Games for which a host has not yet been confirmed is 2036, following Paris 2024, LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032.

The Qatari capital of Doha previously bid for the 2016 Games, under the slogan "Celebrating Change." This bid did not make it to the Candidature phase, and Qatar turned its attention to a successful bid for the FIFA World Cup, which was moved to take place outside summer months for the first time - although organisers claimed it could have taken place any time of year.

Although the bidding procedure for the Olympic Games has changed significantly since then, further changes would be required to enable the Games to be hosted at a different time of year.

“Since Olympic Agenda 2020 and the subsequent reforms of the New Norm, the IOC has adopted a new, flexible approach to electing Olympic Hosts, which considers carefully the local context and future plans for the region. All potential hosts must demonstrate sustainability and legacy at the heart of their Games proposal, which should align with long term socio-economic development plans for their region or country,” the IOC told Host City.

[Source: IOC] An IOC member since 2020, Mrs Grabar-Kitarović is a former President of the Republic of Croatia. She will lead the Commission with immediate effect. The previous Chair, Kristin Kloster Aasen, stood down following her election to the Executive Board (EB), because no EB member can serve on the Future Host Commissions (for the Games of the Olympiad and the Olympic Winter Games), to ensure the broader participation of the IOC Session in the selection procedure. 

The new approach to electing Olympic hosts is more flexible and collaborative, with the IOC working with potential hosts to optimise their Olympic projects and align them with long-term social and economic development plans for the benefit of their communities. As a result, there is unprecedented interest from numerous parties on different continents in hosting future Olympic and Paralympic Games.

IOC President Thomas Bach said: “The Future Host Commissions have an important role in shaping the future of the Olympic Movement.

“Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović will bring rich and diverse skills and experience, including at the very highest levels of government and international relations. As a member of the same Commission, she has already contributed to the successful delivery of the first election under the new approach to choosing Olympic and Paralympic hosts, with the selection of Brisbane 2032,” he added.

Mrs Grabar-Kitarović said: “I am grateful for this opportunity to collaborate with potential hosts on Olympic projects, which will help them to achieve their long-term goals for development, public health, sports participation and inclusion.

“I would like to continue to build on the great work begun under Kristin’s leadership. It is an exciting chance to develop innovative ways to steer the Olympic Games into the future and explore the challenges facing upcoming hosts, such as climate change.”

The vacant position on the Future Host Commission for the Games of the Olympiad has been filled by the IOC member and President of World Triathlon, Marisol Casado.