Durban emerges as frontrunner for SA's Olympic bid

Durban emerges as frontrunner for SA's Olympic bid bombeleni_temp Fri, 10/30/2026 - 08:15

JOHANNESBURG - Durban has emerged as the preferred city for South Africa’s potential bid to host the 2036 or 2040 Olympic Games.

The proposed Olympic venues were presented at the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee’s (SASCOC) Evaluation Committee meeting on Thursday.

SASCOC acting president Lwandile Simelane said the proposals provided an opportunity to showcase the country’s existing infrastructure and its ability to host a world-class sporting event.

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SASCOC acting president Lwandile Simelane said the proposals provided an opportunity to showcase the country’s existing infrastructure and its ability to host a world-class sporting event.

“That is a great exercise for us as a country to show that we do have facilities,” she said.

“Durban will now have the work of converting its own existing facilities to world-class sporting venues,” she added.

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Former SASCOC president and honorary International Olympic Committee member Sam Ramsamy said hosting the Olympic Games would be a national undertaking, with other cities, including Johannesburg and Cape Town, also being considered.