SASCOC confirms Durban as South Africa’s Olympic Games host city

South Africa is competing with seven other cities for the opportunity to host the world’s biggest sporting event. 

SASCOC acting president Lwandile Simelane, who has stepped in for suspended president Barry Hendricks, says the time has come for Africa to host its first Olympic Games, with Durban ready to take on the challenge.

The national Olympic body is expected to present its official bid to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) next month. 

Saturday is the deadline for interested cities to announce their intentions to bid for the Games.

SASCOC says discussions around the Olympic budget will take place as the bid progresses through the different stages of the process.

"Yes, definitely. I think that is the exciting part for us; it'll be the first Summer Olympics in Africa, and we know we have athletes currently in Dakar. We are wishing them all the best, but it will be the first Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Africa, and we think the time is ready for Africa now," said Simelane.

Simelane, who was flanked by SASCOC CEO Nozipho Jafta and honorary president Dr Sam Ramsamy during the historic announcement, has outlined the process of South Africa’s Olympic bid, including the suitable period for hosting the Games.

She says consultations are ongoing and the bid will go through several stages before the IOC announces the official host country in 2029.

Simelane has also acknowledged the enormous cost of hosting the Olympic Games, with expenses running into billions of rands. 

However, she says South Africa plans to make use of existing sporting facilities to keep costs under control.

One of the options being considered is transforming Moses Mabhida Stadium into an Olympic stadium should Durban’s bid succeed. 

Simelane says South Africa is confident in its plans and is not intimidated by competition from countries such as Germany and Qatar.

Simelane has called on South Africans to rally behind the country’s Olympic bid now that Durban has been officially announced as the preferred host city.

She says SASCOC will also work with sporting federations to help develop athletes capable of winning medals on home soil. 

Hosting the Games could create jobs and open up economic opportunities for South Africans.

Simelane says SASCOC has been engaging with other African countries to secure support for South Africa’s bid and has the backing of the South African government.

The Olympic body has already spent money assessing Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town before settling on Durban as its preferred host city.