South African President Jacob Zuma said his country would be “very happy” to host the first Olympic on the African continent, and believes, after hosting the 2010 World Cup, they now have “sufficient facilities to do so” by 2024.
“If we are given an opportunity in the near future, we’ll certainly welcome that...” Zuma told City Press. “Ever since 1994, we have been part of the world and have hosted a number of important world events... We certainly welcome if the Olympic committee offered us to host.”
Durban, South Africa is seen as the most likely candidate, and actually considered a bid to host the 2020 Games before the government decided in 2011 to use the available money on more pressing national priorities, namely the funding of social services. But a feasibility study was carried out by the government in 2012, and now the Olympics are once again a possibility.
On top of going against fellow African cities like Nairobi, Kenya and Casablanca, Morocco in the 2024 bid, Durban is like to face bids from a strong U.S. contender like Los Angeles or Philadelphia, as well as the 100-year anniversary of the last Paris Games, and cities like Berlin, Rome, Toronto, and Dubai.