Indonesia, Philippines to bid jointly for Olympics?

MANILA, Philippines — It was a landmark meeting of the minds between PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio and Indonesian Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir during the SEA Games in Bangkok the other day as they discussed a dream plan of bringing the Olympics to Southeast Asia.

Gregorio said the bid for the 2036 Olympics is still open and Thohir will raise the possibility when Indonesia hosts a sports ministers meeting in Bali on Feb. 6-8. The plan is for a joint hosting of Indonesia and the Philippines, similar to the three-way arrangement with Japan for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. The next Olympics will be in Los Angeles in 2028 then the Games will be held in Brisbane in 2032. The only Asian countries to host the Summer Olympics were Japan in 1964 and 2020, South Korea in 1988 and China in 2008.

“Can Southeast Asia host the Olympics?” said Gregorio. “Yes, of course, we can. It’s about time. Over 700 million population. Five Olympic rings for the five original ASEAN members – Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines. We’re discussing the possibility of a joint SEA region hosting which will be more exciting.”

Gregorio described the plan as aspirational. “I’ve mentioned this idea to President Marcos and informally to POC President Bambol (Tolentino),” he added. “It’s all in the brainstorming phase yet. As sports ministers, we need the ‘go-ahead’ of both our Presidents. This is a plan we can pursue when the Philippines hosts the ASEAN Summit in 2026.”

Gregorio said he broached the idea to FIVB chairman Michael Payne when Manila hosted the Men’s Volleyball World Championships last September. “Michael’s the guru of the new-age Olympic marketing thrust and his reaction was it’s a great narrative,” said Gregorio. “That bidding is already a major achievement and winning is another.”

Gregorio disclosed that he also talked to Thohir about organizing an ASEAN marathon circuit. “Erick’s a big dreamer and he loves the Philippines,” he said. “His first love is basketball. We’ve been brothers since 20 years ago. Bangkok was our second meeting the past two months. We met in Indonesia last month during the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships and at his daughter’s wedding.”