South Africa has announced plans to bid for the 2036 or 2040 Olympic and Paralympic Games, aiming to become the first African nation to host the world’s biggest sporting event.
The government confirmed the intention on Thursday, adding that discussions have already begun with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), led by Zimbabwean official Kirsty Coventry, to assess the feasibility of hosting.
Cape Town, which previously bid for the 2004 Olympics—ultimately awarded to Athens—is expected to be South Africa’s proposed host city once again. The coastal city’s established tourism infrastructure and global appeal make it a strong contender.
Durban, another major South African city, had been awarded the 2022 Commonwealth Games but withdrew in 2017 due to financial difficulties.
Other countries that have expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Games include India, Qatar, Turkey and Chile.
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said the government was in “continuous dialogue” with the IOC regarding the bid.
South Africa has a proven record of hosting major international sporting events, including the Rugby World Cup in 1995, the Cricket World Cup in 2003, and the FIFA World Cup in 2010, making it the only country outside England to have staged all three.
The nation will co-host the Cricket World Cup again in 2027 alongside Namibia and Zimbabwe. There are also plans to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix from 2027, which would mark another first for the African continent.
