Sports Ministry Rules Out Revival Of South Africa 2020 Olympics Bid

Hopes of reviving a South African bid for the 2020 Olympics have been extinguished after the country’s Sports Ministry stated on Wednesday that it would not ask the government to reconsider its decision against entering the tender for the Games.

Department of Sport and Recreation spokesman Paena Galane told The Associated Press that entering the running for the 2024 Games remains an "ambition", but attempts to revive a bid for 2020, most likely from Durban, would not be pursued. South Africa, which staged the 2010 FIFA World Cup before hosting the International Olympic Committee (IOC) session in Durban last month, had been expected to bid for the 2020 Olympics before the government surprised many by announcing it would not support such a move.

"We are not going to resubmit the request to bid to cabinet," Galane said. "There will be no bid from South Africa for the 2020 Olympics. After careful consideration, the Minister (of Sport, Fikile Mbalula) has decided to respect the cabinet decision." Galane added that "the ambition is to consider 2024".

South African Olympic Committee and International Olympic Committee Executive Committee member Sam Ramsamy added: "We are disappointed, but we understand the complexities of the issues. We will certainly go for 2024. We will engage government and even though there is nothing official yet (for 2024), the indication is that the government will be favourable to a bid."

Ahead of the September 1 deadline for submitting bids, Rome, Tokyo, Madrid and Istanbul are the only cities to have confirmed applications to stage the 2020 Games. Doha in Qatar, which was eliminated from the tender before the final vote for the 2016 Olympics, is also considering a bid.

Source: sportbusiness.com