WILL RULES CHANGE FACILITATE AN AFRICA HOSTED OLYMPICS? International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach has said African countries stand a better chance of staging future Olympic Games, if proposed changes to bidding procedures are adopted by the ruling body. Bach gave the hint in Kenya, after a whistle-stop tour on Sunday of three African countries -- South Africa and Ethiopia as well as Kenya, which followed his attendance at at last week’s African Youth Games in here in Gaborone, Botswana. The IOC Chief said that his wish was to see the continent stage the worlds most prestigious sports competition. We (the IOC) would be happy to see a feasible bid from the continent, Bach told reporters in Kenya. While Bach did not give details, there have been calls both inside and outside Africa for the Olympics to open up its bidding process to allow more than one city or country to make joint bids, which would potentially make it more feasible for smaller countries and emerging economies to host the event. During his whirlwind tour Bach is reported to have also paid tribute to Botswana for staging a successful competition for the youth, and especially for the attendance of all African nations, including the recently-independent and strife-torn South Sudan. He observed that Olympism is about providing education and opportunity for the youth of the world to secure their future and also make the world a better place, he said. He further invited African youths to Olympic Youth Games in Nanjing, China, in August. This is another great opportunity for African youths to showcase their talent and also join other youths of the world to share and learn about Olympic ideals while competing, he said.
Posted on: Tue, 03 Jun 2014 06:07:56 +0000
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