South Africa has officially entered the race to host the 2036 Olympic Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed. The country is now part of a growing list of nations vying for the prestigious event, including India, Qatar, Germany, South Korea, Hungary, and Turkey. This development marks a significant step in South Africa's bid to become the first African country to host the Olympic Games.
The IOC has set a deadline for interested parties to lodge a formal bid and enter a dialogue process, which will culminate in a final vote by IOC members in 2029. South Africa's bid is bolstered by its previous experience in hosting major international events, most notably the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The event showcased the country's ability to host large-scale sports competitions, with many praising its infrastructure and organizational capabilities.
South Africa faces stiff competition from other bidders, including India, which is considered a front-runner. Ahmedabad, the capital of Gujarat, has already been announced as the host of the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Qatar, which has previously bid unsuccessfully for the 2016 and 2020 Games, plans to leverage infrastructure created for its successful 2022 FIFA World Cup hosting.
Other countries bidding to host the 2036 Olympic Games have significant experience in hosting major international events. South Korea and Germany are the only countries on the current list that have previously hosted the Games. Seoul staged the 1988 summer edition, while Berlin and Munich hosted in 1936 and 1972, respectively.
The bidding process involves a series of virtual presentations and feasibility studies, which will help the IOC executive board select an initial shortlist. The IOC's decision-making process is designed to ensure that the selected host country can deliver a successful and sustainable Games.
The bid process has seen some notable withdrawals, including Indonesia, which had proposed Nusantara as the host city. However, the IOC rejected the bid after Indonesia refused to permit Israeli athletes to compete at the World Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta in 2025.
A total of nine countries have expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Olympic Games, with South Africa aiming to make history as the first African country to host the event. The country's successful hosting of the 2010 World Cup has provided a strong foundation for its bid, and it remains to be seen whether this experience will be enough to secure the Games.
Key points
- South Africa is bidding to become the first African country to host the Olympic Games.
- The IOC has set a deadline for formal bids, with a final vote to take place in 2029.
- South Africa faces competition from India, Qatar, Germany, South Korea, Hungary, and Turkey.
