South Africa, India and Qatar were on Tuesday confirmed among seven countries interested in hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics.
Germany, Hungary, Turkey and South Korea are the other countries in discussions with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Other countries have until October 31 to declare an interest.
In March 2027, the IOC Executive Board will draw up a shortlist, and those countries will then enter dialogue with the Olympic body. Hosts will be assessed on factors such as funding, and political and public support.
“Wherever the Games take place, one thing must never change: athletes have to be at the heart of everything we do,” IOC President Kirsty Coventry said. The Zimbabwean former swimmer added that delivering the best experience for athletes must always be the starting point for any host.
South Africa hosted the 2010 football World Cup and the 1995 Rugby World Cup but has never staged an Olympics. A successful bid would bring the Games to Africa for the first time.
India wants to host its first Olympics, centred on Ahmedabad in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state of Gujarat. The city will host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, seen as a major rehearsal, and is home to the world’s largest cricket stadium.
Qatar hosted the 2022 World Cup, though the awarding of that tournament was later mired in corruption allegations within FIFA. A Gulf Olympics would have to be moved later than the usual July-August slot because of the heat.
The German Olympic committee last month chose Munich as its candidate city for a Games a century after the 1936 Berlin Olympics, which were overseen by the Nazi regime. Turkey hopes to improve on Istanbul’s second-place finish to Tokyo in the race for the 2020 Games.
Los Angeles will host the 2028 Games and Brisbane the 2032 edition.
