The eThekwini Municipality has noted the decision by National Cabinet that South Africa will not bid for the 2020 Olympic Games and the Municipality accepts that decision. The City has all along maintained that it would participate in the bid process if and when national government and SASCOC had indicated that the country was ready to bid for the Olympic Games.
The eThekwini Municipality still believes that the City has the best facilities and expertise to host such big events.
The Municipality notes that the Cabinet decision was based on broader economic strategies and other considerations. Obviously the City would have been delighted if government had decided in favour of bidding for the Games.
Durban will now focus on hosting a number of upcoming big international events including the 123rd International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in July and the COP 17 climate change conference at the end of the year. Durban is Africa’s sporting and events capital.
