South Africa Names Durban as Preferred Bidder for 2036 or 2040 Olympic Games

South Africa has announced that Durban is its preferred candidate city to host either the 2036 or 2040 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. If successful, the bid aims to bring the first-ever Olympic Games to the African continent.

Lwandile Simelane, acting president of the South African Sports Confederation, Olympic and Paralympic Committee, announced the decision on Thursday. Officials stated that while Durban would serve as the main candidate city, the proposal is expected to be a multi-city bid involving events held in other locations.

Bid Details and Venue Plans

• Main Venue: Durban's 56,000-seat Moses Mabhida Stadium, built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, is slated as the center of the bid.
• Contenders Considered: Economic hubs Johannesburg and Cape Town were also evaluated before Durban was chosen.
• Global Competition: South Africa joins at least six other countries—India, Qatar, South Korea, Germany, Hungary, and Turkiye—bidding for the 2036 Games.

Timeline and Verification

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) set an October 31 deadline for national Olympic committees to formally declare their interest in the 2036 event. Candidates are scheduled to make virtual presentations next month, followed by an IOC board decision in March to approve a shortlist of candidates. The IOC is expected to choose the 2036 host city in mid-2029.

Officials reported that cost estimates for staging the Games are not yet available. Previous historical efforts, including a potential bid following the 2010 World Cup and a stripped hosting of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, faced financial and guarantee hurdles. Observers can verify official updates and milestones through the International Olympic Committee's official communications channels.