South Africa may still bid for Summer Olympics

DURBAN - As the dust settles on the dramatic 2018 Winter Olympic vote in the South African port city of Durban, renewed attention is being focused on a possible South African bid for the Summer Olympic Games in 2024.

East Coast Radio in Durban reported on Thursday that while the South African cabinet has shot down plans for a bid for 2020, the country's sports minister, Fikile Mbalula, has sparked fresh speculation by saying that a South African Olympics is "the will" of the sports fraternity at home and abroad.

Mbalula told reporters in Durban that if South Africa doesn't make the September 2011 deadline to bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics, then it will certainly try for 2024.

Durban's long been regarded as a favorite to be an Olympic host city.

South African International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive, Sam Ramsamy, who was born in Durban, told the radio station that South Africa stands a very good chance if it decides to throw its hat in the ring.

"We haven't yet lost all hope of projecting a South African city for 2020. So if that doesn't happen we will certainly project a South African city for 2024. Being a South African, I have to make sure that I am fair to all the cities," he said.

Business Day newspaper in Johannesburg also reported that South Africa may still bid soon for the Summer Olympics.

The newspaper said the formalities of the 123rd IOC session opening ceremony, conducted in the presence of South African President Jacob Zuma, were laced with hints that South African authorities remain sorely tempted to throw Durban's hat into the Olympic ring.

It said most of these hints were placed in the mouth of South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee president Gideon Sam, who told dignitaries, including the newly married Prince Albert of Monaco, that "hosting events like this gives us the courage to carry on bidding for more prestigious events".

Sam said South Africa is well aware of the need to continue hosting big events.

Zuma described the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa as "an event that brought lasting benefits to our country and continent".

The newspaper quoted an anonymous "leading city figure" in Durban saying there is a 60 percent chance of that city launching a bid for the 2020 Olympics.