South Africa Picks Durban for Olympic Bid

South Africa has named the coastal city of Durban as its preferred host for a bid to bring the Olympic Games to Africa for the first time.

The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) announced the choice on Thursday, confirming that the country will bid to host either the 2036 or 2040 Games.

SASCOC acting president Lwandile Simelane told reporters that the South African government had backed the bid after the Cabinet approved it.

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As part of the process, SASCOC will present its proposal to the International Olympic Committee’s Future Host Commission in November. Feasibility reviews are expected to conclude in March 2027, while the final host selection is scheduled for 2029.

However, Durban’s previous hosting bid faced challenges. The city won the right to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games but lost it in 2017 after the Commonwealth Games Federation said it had failed to meet key obligations.

If successful, South Africa’s Olympic bid would make Africa the host continent for the Games for the first time.

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