SASCOC ready to bid for major international events - Barry Hendricks

Hendricks noted the recent visit from International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach signals the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee’s return to form and its status as one of Africa's leading Olympic bodies capable of hosting such significant events in future. 

He expressed this confidence during an interview with SABC Sport.

"We, as a nation, now have to ask the big question, 'Do we want it, and can we do it?' And those are discussions that we're seriously going to consider," said Hendricks.

"Remember the first four years [of his term] was to turn SASCOC around, and I've always said, the next four or eight years are about bringing events to South Africa, and that's definitely on the cards. So that is something we will now seriously consider."

Four years ago, SASCOC was on the brink of collapse, but it has since experienced a remarkable turnaround, and Hendricks says they are now in a strong financial position.

"SASCOC is out of the hospital, it's no longer in ICU and it's not even in the ward anymore. SASCOC is going to go places," he added.

"If you look at the commitments of our sponsors after the Olympics and Paralympics, and they are clear that their trust and belief in this organisation. 

"We now have to believe in ourselves to ask the big question, 'Can we bid for the Olympics? Can we deliver the Olympics?' Those are things myself, the board, and the minister will be discussing."

Hendricks has further hinted that South Africa could pursue a bid for the 2036 Olympic Games.

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