South Africa Takes First Step Towards Hosting 2036 Olympics

South Africa has officially expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, a historic bid to bring the prestigious event to the African continent for the first time. The announcement comes after a recent meeting between Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, and representatives from the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee Sascoc, who met with the International Olympic Committee IOC in Lausanne, Switzerland, to launch the bidding process.

Minister McKenzie emphasized the excitement of embarking on this journey, stating, We are embarking on an exciting journey that could lead to South Africa hosting the 2036 Games. South Africa is now officially recognized as an Interested Party by the IOC. As part of the process, the IOC will conduct a feasibility study to determine the best location for the Games within the country, with a focus on sustainability and maximizing the use of existing infrastructure.

IOC President Thomas Bach has expressed strong support for South Africas bid, stating, This project has the potential to unite Africa and showcase its wonders to the world. If successful, this bid would make the 2036 Games the first Olympic Games ever held in Africa, symbolizing a significant milestone for the continent.

Despite the enthusiasm from the government and Sascoc, concerns about the financial implications of hosting the Games remain a significant consideration. The potential costs of infrastructure, security, and logistics will need to be carefully evaluated as part of the bidding and planning process.