Gideon Sam, head of South Africa’s Olympic committee, said Wednesday he hoped the government would change its mind and endorse a South African bid for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, but he added a 2024 Summer bid was definite.
Sam told AFP, “from an Olympic movement side we have to keep our fingers crossed until the date has gone by. I do support the cabinet decision in terms of how they feel at this point in time, but I still have to keep up the hope that on the last moment they may turn around and say go ahead”.
In May South Africa’s cabinet ruled out a bid by Durban, but sports minister Fikile Mbalula said at the time he will keep lobbying the government.
South Africa is drawing attention as a sporting host for major global competitions.
Sam added, “people are beginning to realize that there is something in this country that is attractive to all of them and I think that we’ll be short changing ourselves if we were to sit back and not make use of these opportunities”.
