South African President Says Country Would Be 'Very Happy' To Host 2024 Olympics

South African President Jacob Zuma said Tuesday his country would be "very happy" if it became the first African nation to host the Olympics, as venues look ahead to '24, according to the AFP. Zuma said, "If we are given an opportunity in the near future, we'll certainly welcome that. I think South Africa will be very happy to host the Olympics. We have, I think, sufficient facilities to do so." South Africa opted out of bidding for the 2020 Games, "although Durban was seen as the country's more likely candidate, with the government in Pretoria saying it had more pressing national priorities." Bidding for the 2024 Olympics will begin in '15, "and the IOC will decide the winner" in '17. Nairobi, Kenya and Casablanca, Morocco "are among African cities that have expressed interest in hosting the 2024 Games" (AFP, 6/4).