Durban may lead South African Olympics bid

Durban could be South Africa’s bidding city for the 2020 Olympic Games.The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) originally approached the cities of Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg to bid. However, Durban is the only city that wishes to be considered.

It is now expected by the SASCOC that South Africa’s government will shortly consider whether to submit a formal bid to the International Olympics Committee (IOC).

The country has until August 2011 to make a final decision on whether Durban will be a suitable venue for the sporting event even though the city has already showcased its sporting facilities at the recent football World Cup.

Namibian Frankie Fredericks, an Olympic silver medallist who is now a member of the IOC, has confirmed he would back a Durban bid.

“It would be nice to share our culture, to share our vuvuzelas, to share our food, to share the way we do things with the world,” said the sprinter.

The modern Olympics Games have never been held in Africa

Written by Ruth Norris.