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Durban named preferred city for South Africa Olympic bid
The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) has designated Durban as the primary city for its bid to host the 2036 or 2040 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. Acting president Lwandile Simelane announced that while Durban will serve as the central hub, the proposal is envisioned as a multi-city bid that could include Johannesburg and Cape Town to utilize existing infrastructure.
If successful, the bid would bring the Olympic Games to the African continent for the first time. The proposal intends to leverage existing venues, specifically the 56,000-seat Moses Mabhida Stadium built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Officials noted that Durban could host approximately 60% to 70% of the Olympic programme, including the Olympic Village and the opening and closing ceremonies.
South Africa is currently one of seven nations in dialogue with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding the 2036 Games, alongside Germany, Hungary, India, Qatar, South Korea, and Türkiye. The IOC expects to conclude feasibility reviews by March 2027, with a final host selection scheduled for mid-2029. While Durban was previously considered for hosting duties a decade ago, concerns regarding costs and the subsequent loss of the 2022 Commonwealth Games hosting rights due to financial guarantee issues remain historical context for the current exploratory stage.
Entities
Durban · International Olympic Committee · Lwandile Simelane · Moses Mabhida Stadium · South Africa · South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 6 SOURCES] South Africa is one of seven countries in dialogue with the IOC for the 2036 Games. afrikactus.com · xeudeportes.mx · kenya-today.com · www.newsday.com · www.independent.co.uk
- [● 7 SOURCES] The IOC is expected to select the 2036 host in mid-2029. afrikactus.com · newscentraltv.com · xeudeportes.mx · kenya-today.com · www.newsday.com · +1 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] The bid may follow a multi-city format involving Johannesburg and Cape Town. afrikactus.com · kenya-today.com · www.newsday.com · www.thesouthafrican.com · www.aljazeera.com · +1 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] The South African government has backed the Olympic bid. newscentraltv.com · xeudeportes.mx
- [● 5 SOURCES] Durban was previously stripped of the 2022 Commonwealth Games hosting rights. newscentraltv.com · xeudeportes.mx · www.newsday.com · www.aljazeera.com · www.independent.co.uk
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Moses Mabhida Stadium is expected to be a central venue for the bid. afrikactus.com · www.thesouthafrican.com · www.newsday.com · www.independent.co.uk
- [● 4 SOURCES] Officials have not yet provided cost estimates for the proposed Olympic project. www.newsday.com · www.aljazeera.com · www.independent.co.uk
- [● 10 SOURCES] SASCOC has designated Durban as the preferred city for a 2036 or 2040 Olympic bid. afrikactus.com · newscentraltv.com · www.sportschau.de · xeudeportes.mx · kenya-today.com · +4 more