South Africa has officially announced its intention to bid for the 2036 or 2040 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with the goal of bringing the world’s largest sporting event to Africa for the first time.
Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, confirmed the plan during a press briefing, stating that the government has already begun discussions with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), led by Zimbabwean Kirsty Coventry.
She described the talks as “preliminary and exploratory,” aimed at advancing South Africa’s bid for hosting rights. While the potential host city has not yet been revealed, the minister expressed confidence that the country’s existing infrastructure would make it well-prepared to host the Games.
“Even if we are offered the Games tomorrow, Cabinet is confident that we can host them with our current facilities,” Ntshavheni said.
South Africa previously bid to host the 2004 Olympics, which were ultimately awarded to Athens. The country last hosted a major global sporting event in 2010, when it became the first African nation to stage the FIFA World Cup.
Former IOC president Thomas Bach, during his 2024 visit to South Africa, praised the nation’s stability and infrastructure, noting it had the vision and capability to host an Olympic Games.
Meanwhile, Senegal’s Dakar will make history in 2026 as the first African city to host the Youth Olympic Games. The next Summer Olympics will take place in Los Angeles in 2028, followed by Brisbane, Australia, in 2032.
South Africa has recently renewed its commitment to hosting major international sports events, including a bid to bring Formula One back to Kyalami by 2027 and its role as co-host of the 2027 men’s Cricket World Cup.