South Africa among seven countries in talks over 2036 Olympics

South Africa is among seven countries discussing the possibility of staging the 2036 Summer Olympics with the International Olympic Committee, BBC Sport reported. The IOC confirmed the country's interest in an event that, if awarded to South Africa, would be the first Summer Games held on the African continent.

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The South African proposal would spread the Games across Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg. It remains part of an exploratory process rather than a confirmed hosting award. Hungary, India, Qatar and Turkey are also seeking to stage the Summer Olympics for the first time, while previous hosts Germany and South Korea are involved in the discussions.

According to the report, the IOC has set 31 October as the deadline for submissions expressing interest. The interested parties are due to make virtual presentations to its future host commission in November, followed by feasibility assessments to be completed by March 2027. National Olympic committees would then move into strategic discussions with the governing body.

India's proposal centres on Ahmedabad, which is scheduled to stage the 2030 Commonwealth Games and has also bid for the 2038 Asian Games. Budapest is Hungary's proposed host, having held the 2022 World Aquatics Championships and the 2023 World Athletics Championships. Qatar's proposal focuses on Doha, which staged matches during the country's 2022 football World Cup.

Istanbul is Turkey's nominated city after unsuccessful attempts to secure the 2000, 2008 and 2020 Olympics. It is also due to hold the 2027 European Games. Germany's proposed host is Munich, which staged the Olympics in 1972; Berlin hosted in 1936. South Korea's proposal combines Seoul, host of the 1988 Games, with North Jeolla province.

South Africa's interest comes after Durban's earlier involvement in plans for the 2022 Commonwealth Games ended in 2017. Separately, the IOC said other national Olympic committees were holding non-committal discussions about editions beyond 2036. The UK government said in May that it was discussing support for potential Olympic and Paralympic bids in the 2040s. Los Angeles will stage the 2028 Olympics, followed by Brisbane in 2032.