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South Africa has settled on the coastal city of Durban as its preferred host as it makes a push to stage the Olympic Games on African soil for the first time.
The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) announced the choice on Thursday, October 29, with acting president Lwandile Simelane telling reporters the country will bid for either the 2036 or 2040 Games.
The bid already carries government backing, after the South African cabinet approved it.
SASCOC will make its presentations to the International Olympic Committee’s Future Host Commission in November. Feasibility reviews are expected to wrap up in March 2027, with the final host selection due in 2029.
Durban’s credentials will, however, come under scrutiny. The city won the right to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games, but the Commonwealth Games Federation stripped it of those rights in 2017, citing a failure to meet key obligations.
