South Africa Eyes Hosting Olympic Games in 2036 or 2040
South Africa has officially declared its intention to bid for the 2036 or 2040 Olympic and Paralympic Games, aiming to bring the prestigious global event to African soil for the first time.
Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, announced the plan during a press briefing, stating that the government has entered into ongoing discussions with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), now led by Zimbabwean Olympian Kirsty Coventry.
Ntshavheni emphasized that this is a ‘preliminary and exploratory engagement’ to advance the country’s ambition to host the Games.
Although no host city has been named, South Africa previously made a bid with Cape Town for the 2004 Olympics, which were ultimately awarded to Athens. Ntshavheni expressed confidence in the nation’s readiness, noting that South Africa’s existing infrastructure could support the Games without major new investments.
‘Even if we are offered the Games tomorrow, cabinet is confident that we should be able to host them with our facilities,’ she said.
South Africa made history as the first African nation to host the FIFA World Cup in 2010. The country continues to pursue major international sporting events, including a bid to host a Formula One Grand Prix at the iconic Kyalami circuit in 2027 and organizing the 2027 men’s Cricket World Cup.
IOC’s former president Thomas Bach, during a 2024 visit, praised South Africa’s stability and infrastructure, saying the nation had the vision to successfully stage an Olympics.
Other contenders for future Olympics include Qatar, which is keen on hosting the 2036 Games, and Munich, Germany, where voters recently approved a bid for 2036, 2040, or 2044. The next Summer Olympics will take place in Los Angeles in 2028, followed by Brisbane in 2032.
