Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), said Wednesday he hoped that an African city will bid to host the Olympic Games.
Rogge said while visiting Kenya that Africa needs to show it wants the Olympics. He added that Africa’s chances of hosting the Olympics for the first time would depend on the country’s willingness to back its bid.
Rogge said “I would hope that one will come out as soon as possible. But obviously this will depend on the city being successful to host the 2020 Games”. He said that would be the earliest.
Rogge added that South Africa’s campaign to host the World Cup was an example of how a country should pitch for a major event, reports the Associated Press.
Following South Africa’s failed bid in 1997 for the 2004 Olympics in Cape Town, the country focused on hosting the 2010 World Cup and ultimately won the bid, said Rogge.
