Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, an IOC member and a former president of Croatia, said at the organization’s annual meeting in Mumbai that the growing politicization of sports was flagged as a problem by the Committee in an update addressed to countries who want to host future games.

She said a decision on the 2036 Olympics host will not be made before 2026 or 2027.

Earlier the IOC announced a new selection process that avoids public campaigns and a contested vote. Potential hosts will now work behind the scenes with the IOC.

Brisbane, Australia, the 2032 Olympics host, was the first to be chosen this way two years ago when IOC members simply approved a recommendation from the executive board chaired by president Thomas Bach.