Durban’s Olympic Ambition: A Major Step for South Africa and African Sport

South Africa has taken an important step towards bringing the Olympic Games to African soil, with Durban selected as its preferred city for a possible Olympic bid. The development represents an ambitious moment for the country and the wider continent, which has never hosted the Summer Olympic Games.

Nevertheless, Durban’s selection should not be mistaken for a confirmed hosting victory. It is an important step in the process of preparing a potential bid, with several stages still to be completed before the International Olympic Committee (IOC) makes any final deision

Durban emerged ahead of Johannesburg and Cape Town to become the central city for South Africa’s Olympic ambitions. The proposal is expected to adopt a multi-city approach, meaning some sporting events could take place in other parts of the country.

The 56,000-seat Moses Mabhida Stadium, built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, is expected to play a major role in the proposed hosting plan. South Africa is considering either the 2036 or 2040 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

An Olympic Games in South Africa would represent a historic breakthrough for African sport. Since the modern Olympics began in 1896, no African country has hosted the Summer Games.

Beyond the sporting achievement, hosting could create opportunities for tourism, employment, infrastructure development and international investment. It would also give African athletes greater visibility and provide young people across the continent with inspiration to pursue sporting careers.

For Africa, the significance would extend beyond medals and ceremonies. It would demonstrate the continent's capacity to organise one of the world's biggest international sporting events.

Despite the excitement, significant challenges remain. South Africa must demonstrate that it has the infrastructure, financial capacity, transportation systems and organisational experience required to host an event of this scale.

Durban previously lost its hosting rights for the 2022 Commonwealth Games after failing to meet key financial and organisational commitments. That experience makes financial planning and credible guarantees particularly important this time. 

According to Africanews, South Africa is expected to present its proposal to the International Olympic Committee in November 2026, with feasibility reviews scheduled to conclude in March 2027. The final host selection for the 2036 Games is expected in 2029.

For now, Durban has secured an opportunity, not the Olympics themselves. Whether that opportunity becomes an African sporting milestone will depend on the strength of South Africa's proposal and the decisions still ahead.