South Africa has announced plans to bid for the 2036 or 2040 Olympic and Paralympic Games, marking a potential historic moment as Africa aims to host the global sporting spectacle for the first time.
Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, revealed the government’s intention on Thursday, noting that discussions are already underway with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), now led by Zimbabwean Kirsty Coventry.
“South Africa initiates its intention to bid for the 2036 and 2040 Olympic Games,” Ntshavheni said at a press briefing. “We have entered into continuous dialogue with the IOC as part of a preliminary and exploratory engagement to advance our intention to secure hosting rights.”
While the minister did not disclose a proposed host city, she emphasized that the country’s existing infrastructure would easily support the event.
“Even if we are offered the Games tomorrow, the cabinet is confident that we can host them with our current facilities,” Ntshavheni stated.
South Africa previously bid to host the 2004 Olympics, but the Games were awarded to Athens. The country, however, made history in 2010 by becoming the first African nation to host the FIFA World Cup.
During a 2024 visit to South Africa, former IOC President Thomas Bach said the country had “the stability, infrastructure, and vision” to successfully host an Olympic Games.
Next year, Dakar, Senegal, will make history as the first African city to host an Olympic event when it stages the 2026 Youth Olympic Games from October 31 to November 14.
The next Summer Olympics will take place in Los Angeles in 2028, with Brisbane, Australia, set to host the 2032 edition. Meanwhile, Munich has expressed interest in bidding for the 2036, 2040, or 2044 Games.
Beyond the Olympics, South Africa continues to push for major international sporting events. The country has submitted a bid to bring Formula One back to the historic Kyalami circuit near Johannesburg in 2027 and is set to co-host the 2027 Men’s Cricket World Cup.
