South Africa Seeks to Host 2036 Olympics as First African Nation

South Africa has expressed its intention to host the 2036 Summer Olympics, which would mark it as the first African country to stage the event. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed that South Africa is one of seven nations engaged in "continuous dialogue" regarding potential bids.

Other countries include Hungary, India, Qatar, and Turkey, all seeking to host the Olympics for the first time, while Germany and South Korea are considering bids after having previously hosted the Games. The deadline for these countries to submit their interest is October 31, with virtual presentations to the IOC’s future host commission scheduled for November.

South Africa's proposal includes hosting events across Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg. The IOC plans to complete feasibility assessments of the bids by March 2027, after which the national Olympic committees will enter strategic discussions with the IOC as the selection process progresses.