Olympics: South Africa not to bid for 2020 Games
South Africa’s cabinet had decided that it should focus on fighting poverty and delivering basic amenities instead.
CAPE TOWN:
South Africa will not bid for the 2020 Olympics, said a government spokesperson, ending speculation that the 2010 World Cup host would follow emerging-market rival Brazil as an Olympic host. South Africa’s cabinet had decided that it should focus on fighting poverty and delivering basic services such as water and electricity to all citizens. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Monday kicked off the bid process for the 2020 Summer Games, with a winning city expected to be announced in two years’ time in Buenos Aires. Only Italian capital Rome, which beat off domestic competitor Venice, has officially been named so far, although bids from Japan and the Middle East are considered possible now that South Africa has excluded itself.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 27th, 2011.
South Africa will not bid for the 2020 Olympics, said a government spokesperson, ending speculation that the 2010 World Cup host would follow emerging-market rival Brazil as an Olympic host. South Africa’s cabinet had decided that it should focus on fighting poverty and delivering basic services such as water and electricity to all citizens. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Monday kicked off the bid process for the 2020 Summer Games, with a winning city expected to be announced in two years’ time in Buenos Aires. Only Italian capital Rome, which beat off domestic competitor Venice, has officially been named so far, although bids from Japan and the Middle East are considered possible now that South Africa has excluded itself.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 27th, 2011.