South Africa is seriously considering a bid for the Olympic Games, either in 2020 or 2024, following the successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup tournament, a top South African official said on Monday.
Gideon Sam, president of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), confirmed that South Africa would consider putting in a bid.
Sam told the South African Press Association (SAPA) that his Olympic governing body would consult the South African government and South Africa's national federations with the possibility of hosting the games on the continent.
"It is the dream of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that developing countries are given an opportunity to host the Olympics," Sam said.
He added that it is now up to the South African government, the South African national Olympic committee and the South African sporting community to decide whether to bid for the Olympics.
"I can't say that we will be going for 2020 or 2024, but we will be guided by the sporting movement in this country as to what we are going to do."
Sam was speaking in Johannesburg after receiving a minibus vehicle on behalf of SASCOC from IOC president Jacques Rogge.
Rogge told journalists that the FIFA World Cup had been an "outstanding success" and that an Olympic bid from South Africa would be welcomed after the nation had organized yet another successful international sports tournament.
Rogge noted that South Africa had previously hosted a very successful All Africa Games (in 1999), a Rugby World Cup (in 1995) and international cricket championships (including the inaugural World Twenty20 in 2007).
"Now it is up to you as a nation to decide if you want to host this event."
At the same briefing, South Africa's deputy sport minister Gert Oosthuizen said the South African government had already shown interest in bidding for a future Olympics and would be in discussions with SASCOC about the 2020 and 2024 Games.
"I think it's safe to say that we have expressed interest in hosting an event of this magnitude that will leave legacies," he said.
Last week authorities in the South African port city of Durban expressed interest in staging the Olympics.
Following Beijing's successful hosting of the 2008 Olympics, London will be host in 2012, and Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
国内英语资讯:CPC key documents stress strict Party governance
5个迹象告诉你是否某人对你有意思
为什么你不想要一个亲切的上司呢?
中印关系大发展 龙象共舞大跨越
国内英语资讯:Commentary: Chinas development, stability require strong core leadership
国际英语资讯:Nigerian state declares red alert on bird flu
美文赏析:多一份谅解,自己的生活也会更好
杭州包子美国开分店 20元一个在哈佛卖疯了!
Microscope Brings Tiny Worlds Closer
科学家研发出电脑法官 断案准确率达79%
国际英语资讯:EU, Canada sign landmark free trade deal after Belgian drama
'Green' Way to Charge Phones
Future smart devices will extend our senses
为什么我无法长时间学习?
国内英语资讯:China, Japan, S. Korea agree to boost trade cooperation
特朗普为其新酒店站台 剪彩拉票两不误
境内银联卡不得用于资本和金融项目交易
国内英语资讯:Australias justice minister to meet with Chinese law enforcement officials
国内英语资讯:Political advisors called on to follow CPC session decisions
国际英语资讯:Indonesia to monitor dozens of militants back home after joining IS in Iraq
励志独腿男子 每年总有机智的万圣节造型
国内英语资讯:News Analysis: Chinas ruling party seeks inner development via improving governance, self-
国内英语资讯:Spotlight: Overseas observers praise CPCs resolve to strictly govern party
体坛英语资讯:Hangzhou Greentown relegated from the Chinese Super League
Bike Navigation May Become Safer
国内英语资讯:Xis core status is consensus of CPC: official
体坛英语资讯:CBA Roundup: Powerhouse Xinjiang crushes Beijing in first round
国内英语资讯:Interview: China to play key role at APEC meeting, says Peruvian official
助人为乐吗?不,研究表明:助人为“累”
国际英语资讯:UN chief slams deadly attack on Syrian school