South Africa to Decide on 2020 Games Candidacy Within a Month

According to leading South African official and International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Sam Ramsamy, the nation are hoping to make a decision by the end of the month about whether to bid or not for the 2020 Olympics or Paralympics.

The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) are still waiting to hear whether the Government will back a campaign to try to become the first city in Africa to host the event, with Durban, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth all expressing an interest in bidding for the Games.

There is strong support for a South African bid following the success of last year’s FIFA World Cup but Ramsamy insists that they will only put themselves forward if they have the full support of President Jacob Zuma.

Ramsamy stated: “No city on its own can do it without Government support. We have done a presentation to the Government and are hopeful that they will make a decision by the end of this month. 

“We have asked the city’s to be patient with us. We are hopeful.”

Under the bid procedures launched yesterday by the IOC, South Africa has until September 1 to nominate a city though they hope to be able to pick a city before the IOC holds its Session in Durban between July 4 and 9. This would be the ideal opportunity to impress visiting members and officials of the benefits of hosting a Games in the country.·

Tubby Reddy, the chief executive of SASCOC, knows the importance of the Session, stating: “It’s a major opportunity.

“Of the 115 IOC members who are coming, 99 per cent will be making the final decision [at the IOC Session] in Buenos Aires in 2013. 

“That’s why it is so important – impressions stay.”