South Africa is in the running to stage Africa's first Olympics after being named as one of seven countries that will formally present its case to host the 2036 Games in November.
The bid, which would likely be spread across Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, is considered a distinct outsider. Qatar is widely regarded as the frontrunner, ahead of India and Hungary.
Seven Countries to Present Bids
Turkey, Germany and the Republic of Korea are the remaining countries asked to present to the International Olympic Committee's future bid committee next month. This marks the first stage of a process that will end with a vote in 2029.
Qatar's position at the top of the pecking order is partly due to the perceived strength of its bid and the fact that Asia will not have hosted a Games since Tokyo 2020. However, a Doha Olympics would have to be moved from the Games' traditional July-August slot because of the heat.
India and Hungary as Challengers
India is seen as the closest challenger, although its bid to host in Ahmedabad is thought to have slipped back during the past 18 months. As the Guardian reported last year, the Indian bid was given a wake-up call when it visited Lausanne in the summer of 2025, with concerns raised about mismanagement and governance issues at the Indian Olympic Association, the lack of detail in the bid, and the country's performance in the Paris Games.
Hungary could provide another strong challenge to Qatar. Its bid, said to include not only Budapest but also Vienna and Bratislava, is well regarded. However, it is unclear whether the new government in Hungary cares as much about hosting the Olympics as the previous prime minister, Viktor Orban.
Other Bids and IOC Process
Most of the other bids are being seen as placeholders for the 2040 Olympics, including Germany, given the potentially tricky optics surrounding a centenary Games.
In a handbook published on Tuesday, the IOC said the bids would be based on technical factors – including venues and athlete experience, political and public support, and the ability to deliver a great Games and a long-term legacy – as well as their vision for the Olympics.
“I was fortunate to compete at five Olympic Games, across four continents. Each had their own character,” said IOC president Kirsty Coventry. “Each host brought something unique through its people, its culture and the way it chose to stage the Games. But wherever the Games take place, one thing must never change: athletes have to be at the heart of everything we do.”
Other countries interested in bidding for 2036 have until the end of October to confirm their interest before nominations close. The IOC said it would conduct feasibility assessments by March 2027, and in December 2028 its executive board would open a “targeted dialogue with a select number of preferred hosts”. In the summer of 2029, a vote will be taken to select who will stage the 2036 Games.
