Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie wrapped up a productive meeting last week with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland, as part of his working visit to Europe, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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‘We are at the start of an exciting new process that could lead to South Africa hosting the 2036 Olympic Games,’ said Minister McKenzie following the stakeholder engagement with the IOC.
According to a press release, the minister was joined by the president of the South African Sports Confederation Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Barry Hendricks, and CEO Ms Nozipho Jafta, with support via electronic dial-in to the meetings of South Africa’s IOC Member Anant Singh and Honorary IOC Member Dr Sam Ramsamy.
Engagements began in a meeting with the IOC’s Future Host Cities staff and concluded in a broader discussion with the IOC President, Dr Thomas Bach.
South Africa has officially expressed interest in hosting a Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, becoming an ‘Interested Party’ with the IOC.
A feasibility study will be conducted to determine the best city or region for the event.
The minister will report back to cabinet on the process ahead, likely to play out over several months, before government makes the decision to lodge an official bid for the IOC’s members to consider.
The costs of putting in a bid to host an Olympics, according to the IOC, have now dropped by as much as 80% due to its new approach, while the actual hosting of the Olympics is also likely to produce results that justify the investment for any host.
‘The trip this week is the proud culmination of our meeting last month with Dr Bach during his visit to South Africa.
‘It became clear in discussions with him that bidding for an Olympics is no longer as difficult, prescriptive and expensive as it used to be, and that it would be a very constructive and progressive experience.’
‘At this stage, engagements with the IOC are non-committal, with the emphasis being on how best to shape an Olympic bid that will work best for South Africa and the Olympic Movement under the guidance of the IOC.’
Minister McKenzie highlighted that no African country has ever hosted the Olympics, and South Africa’s bid should be viewed as a bid for the entire continent.
‘The Government of National Unity under President Cyril Ramaphosa is all about reigniting the fire in the bellies of proud, patriotic South Africans to make South Africa the greatest country in the world.’
‘Building around the vision of the first African Olympics will bring us together and showcase Africa to the world, which is what has driven us to start asking the question of what can be done to make this dream a reality,’ said Minister McKenzie.
Also read:
The cost of hosting the Olympics: South Africa’s potential bid
Picture: Gayton McKenzie / Facebook
