South Africa to reconsider 2020 Olympic bid

By Peter Auf der Heyde Jul 6, 2011, 12:14 GMT

Durban, South Africa - South Africa may consider making a bid for the 2020 Olympic Games after all, the country's minister of sport, Fikille Mbalula, said Wednesday.

The government had previously ruled out a bid, but Mbalula, attending the 123rd Session of the International Olympic Committee in Durban, said all the doors remained open.

'The possibilities are there and from the sports ministry and the sports fraternity in South Africa, we have always said that we are quite keen to reopen talks on this matter, noting that this is a decision of government,' he said.

'There is a will from the people both domestically and internationally that says 'go for it', and from within the sports fraternity who are saying that it will be good to have a South African and African bid for 2020.'

Mbalula said the reasons provided by government not to host an Olympics were 'cogent and well considered' but that 'no door is closed and we will pursue every avenue, talk to our colleagues and engage.'

The government always considered the interest of the people first, 'and if the people themselves say it's beneficial to us and the world says 'come let's go, let's get it on' and so on government will listen.'

He added: 'We are aware that we must make our decision before September 2011 that we are ready to actually bid for 2020 or 2024.'

On Tuesday South African IOC member Sam Ramsamy said he had been asked by many IOC members why South Africa was not bidding for the Olympics.

'With such support, we should consider it.'

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