The IOC confirmed South Africa’s participation in the process, alongside Hungary, India, Qatar and Türkiye, which have never hosted the Summer Olympics, as well as Germany and South Korea, which have hosted the Games before.

If successful, South Africa would become the first African country to host the Summer Olympics.

The seven countries are in an “ongoing dialogue” with the IOC and have until October 31 to formally confirm their interest and submit the required documents.

They are expected to present their proposals virtually to the IOC’s Future Host Commission for the Olympic Games in November.

The IOC will assess the bids through March 2027 before the National Olympic Committees involved enter a more detailed dialogue with the organisation.

South Africa proposes three-city Games

South Africa’s proposal is centred on three major cities: Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg.

The bid will draw on the country’s existing sports infrastructure and experience hosting major international events.

Durban was selected to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games but withdrew in 2017.

South Africa also hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the first edition of the tournament to be held in Africa.

The country is expected to use that experience to demonstrate its capacity to accommodate the thousands of athletes, fans, journalists and officials who would attend the Olympics.

India and Qatar seek first Olympics

India’s bid is being led by Ahmedabad, which is set to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and has also expressed interest in hosting the 2038 Asian Games.

Ahmedabad has hosted four of the last five Indian Premier League cricket finals at the Narendra Modi Stadium, which has a capacity of about 132,000 spectators.

Budapest and Doha are the leading cities in the bids from Hungary and Qatar respectively.

Qatar hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with Doha serving as the main hub for the tournament. Budapest hosted the 2022 World Aquatics Championships and the 2023 World Athletics Championships.

Türkiye’s bid is centred on Istanbul, which previously sought to host the 2000, 2008 and 2020 Olympics but was unsuccessful.

Istanbul is also due to host the 2027 European Games.

Germany and South Korea have Olympic experience

Germany has hosted the Olympics twice, in Berlin in 1936 and Munich in 1972.

Munich is seeking to host the Games again in 2036, 64 years after it last staged the Olympics.

South Korea is also seeking a return to the Olympic calendar. Seoul, which hosted the 1988 Olympics, is part of a joint bid with North Jeolla Province.

The IOC said other National Olympic Committees are also in discussions about hosting Olympic Games after 2036, although such discussions do not automatically lead to a formal bid.

In May, the British government said it was in discussions on how it could support potential bids to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the 2040s.

Los Angeles will host the 2028 Olympics, followed by Brisbane, Australia, in 2032.