Africa ready for Olympic debut with Dakar Youth Games

The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) has chosen Durban as the preferred host city for the 2036 or 2040 Olympic Games. This decision was announced on October 29th at Olympic House in Johannesburg, following Cabinet approval. Sascoc CEO Nozipho Jafta stated that the nation is just beginning its journey towards hosting the Games and engaging in dialogue with the International Olympic Committee's Future Host Commission.

Durban was chosen over Johannesburg and Cape Town after these three cities expressed interest in hosting the Games. The committee believes that Durban's location, which includes the Moses Mabhida Stadium, Kings Park Stadium, and proximity to the ocean, makes it an ideal candidate. The city also offers the potential to accommodate at least 65% of the sports and venues in a compact area. However, Sascoc aims to use a multi-city approach, with Durban handling around 65% of the facilities.

The South African government has pledged around R4-billion for the bid, while Commonwealth Sport required a significantly higher amount. Durban lost the right to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games due to missed deadlines and a lack of preparation. South Africa's sports administration has faced scrutiny, with President Barry Hendricks suspended twice in recent years for alleged administrative shortcomings. Despite these challenges, Sascoc remains committed to addressing governance issues and putting forth a strong bid.