Durban Chosen as South Africa’s Candidate for Historic 2036 or 2040 Olympic Bid

South Africa has selected Durban as its candidate to host the 2036 or 2040 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, a move that could bring the Games to Africa for the first time. The announcement, made Thursday, positions the east-coast city ahead of Johannesburg and Cape Town in the country’s bid process. The International Olympic Committee is expected to choose the 2036 host city in mid-2029. If successful, Durban would make history as the first African host, spotlighting the continent’s growing role in global sports. The decision reflects Durban’s coastal infrastructure and potential to handle large-scale events, though past challenges with hosting major competitions remain a consideration. South Africa’s bid underscores its ambition to lead African sports development and boost tourism and investment. The next steps involve detailed planning and lobbying before the IOC vote.