Durban Selected as South Africa’s Candidate for Olympic Bids in 2036 and 2040

South Africa has announced Durban as its preferred candidate city to host the Summer Olympics and Paralympics in either 2036 or 2040, aiming to bring the Games to the African continent for the first time.

Lwandile Simelane, acting president of the South African Olympic committee, announced the decision on Thursday, naming the east-coast city over Johannesburg and Cape Town. Officials indicated that while Durban would serve as the main candidate city, the proposal will likely take the form of a multi-city bid featuring events hosted in other locations.

Bid Details and Timeline

• Target Years: 2036 or 2040 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.
• Selection Process: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is scheduled to choose the 2036 host city in mid-2029.
• Application Deadline: The IOC set 31 October as the deadline for national Olympic committees to formally declare their interest in bidding for the 2036 Games.
• Competing Nations: South Africa is among seven countries reportedly bidding for the 2036 Games, alongside India, Qatar, South Korea, Germany, Hungary, and Turkey.

Cost and Previous Considerations

Officials stated on Thursday that cost estimates for staging the Games are not yet available. Durban was previously discussed as a potential Olympic host over a decade ago following South Africa's hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, though an official bid did not materialize at the time due to financial concerns.

Practical Implications and Verification

• Status: Durban is currently a candidate put forward by South Africa's Olympic committee; the formal bidding process involves competing international nations and future IOC evaluations.
• Verification: Interested observers can review official announcements and updates directly through the International Olympic Committee and the South African Olympic committee.