Johannesburg – South Africa is ready to host the 123rd International Olympic Committee (IOC) gathering in Durban next month.
International sports administrators, royalty and heads of state are expected in the country for the 123rd IOC Session, which will kick off on July 4 until July 9.
Briefing reporters about the global session, South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) CEO, Tubby Reddy, said: “Even if the visitors were to arrive tomorrow, we are ready to host them. Our preparations are currently at an advanced stage. We are fine-tuning our operational planning.”
IOC executive board member, Sam Ramsamy, said all those who will be coming for the 123rd IOC assembly will have an unforgettable week in South Africa.
“This is a historic moment for Durban, South Africa and for Africa to host the International Olympic Committee for the first time on the continent. This is the first time that such a group is assembling in South Africa. This provides us with abounding opportunities to showcase our economy, tourism, culture and our people.
“We are extremely grateful that the IOC has given us the honour to host this prestigious event and preparations are well on track for what promises to be a memorable event,” he said.
Ramsamy said the heads of state of Germany, Korea, Hungary, the Netherlands and Denmark will be amongst those taking part in the IOC Session. They are still awaiting attendance confirmation of French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Ramsamy also announced that the wedding reception of the Prince of Monaco, Prince Albert II, with his South African fianc,e, Charlene Wittstock, an Olympic backstroke swimmer, will be held in Durban on July 7.
Sports and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula described the 123rd IOC Session as the second Soccer World Cup.
“This is the big event. We’ve hosted the world’s football fraternity in South Africa and we’re delighted to now be playing host to the entire Olympic movement in our country.
“As the South African government, we’ve thrown our full support behind the success of the IOC Session. We look forward to constructive engagement with the leaders of world sport, as we look to continue entrenching our country’s positive reputation as a major international sports, tourism and events destination and as we look to bid for and host events across the sporting spectrum in South Africa,” he said.
The IOC 123rd Session will coincide with the launch of the Sports and Events Tourism Exchange (SETE) to be held from 27 to 29 July in Cape Town.
South African Tourism chief marketing officer, Roshene Singh, said: “Globally, sports tourism is a multi-billion dollar industry and South Africa [has a] proven capability of hosting major events, as well as our significant infrastructure footprint.”
The three cities bidding for the privilege to host the 2018 Olympics are Munich (Germany), Annecy (France) and Pyeongchang (Korea).
Durban was first nominated to host the 123rd Session in April 2008, along with a second candidate (Hong Kong). Durban was then given the honour at the 120th IOC Session in Beijing, China, in August that year.
The gathering to announce the 2018 Winter Olympics host city will be held on Wednesday, 6 July. – Nthambeleni Gabara, BuaNews
