South Africa is seeking to host the 2036 Olympic Games in what would be the first staging of the event on the African continent.
The country has been named among seven candidates expected to formally present their cases in November to the International Olympic Committee’s future bid committee.
Seven countries in contention
The other countries in the process are Qatar, India, Hungary, Turkey, Germany and South Korea. The presentations will form part of the process to identify a host for the 2036 Games.
The process is expected to conclude with a vote in 2029. No host has been selected at this stage, and the exact date and venue for the presentations and the vote have not been provided.
Qatar viewed as early frontrunner
South Africa’s proposal is regarded as a distinct outsider, while Qatar is widely seen as the leading candidate ahead of India and Hungary.
Qatar’s perceived advantage has been linked to the strength of its bid and the view that Asia will not have hosted an Olympic Games since Tokyo 2020. A Doha Olympics would also require a change from the Games’ usual July-August scheduling period because of the heat.
India is considered Qatar’s main rival, although assessments cited in the bid process suggest that its position has weakened over the past year and a half.
South Africa’s bid would give the continent an opportunity to host the Olympics for the first time if it is ultimately selected.
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