South Africa Takes Name Out Of Running To Host '20 Olympics

South Africa's Olympic Committee President Gideon Sam is ruling out a bid for the '20 Olympics "after the government said it was not the right time" (AP, 5/26). South Africa's cabinet opted not to pursue the Olympics to "focus on fighting poverty and delivering basic services such as water and electricity to all citizens." Rome is the only city to officially have entered bidding for the Games, "although bids from Japan and the Middle East are considered possible now that South Africa has excluded itself." Sam said that South Africa "might consider a later bid." Sam: "If issues and circumstances change then we may put our hand up for 2024" (REUTERS, 5/26).