Kenya has indicated its interest in becoming the first African country to host the Olympics. The country’s Prime Minister Raila Odinga said in London on Wednesday that Kenya will bid to host the 2024 Olympics.Mr Odinga said sub-Saharan Africa’s time to host the games had come as the region’s trillion-dollar economy was set to boom over the next decade.
“Kenya had the confidence as far back as 1968 to consider bidding for the Olympics,” said Kenya’s Prime Minister, Raila Odinga to the Financial Times.
“That is the spirit we need to recapture. We need to bring back that confidence and say we can do it. It is necessary to take a look back at where are coming from and where we want to go, because we have been drifting for too long,” he said.
A Kenyan bid would be welcomed by the International Olympic Committee but early indications are it would face stiff competition from prominent countries such as the United States with cities such as New York and San Francisco in the running. Prior to this, South Africa and Egypt both had failed attempts to host the Games in 2004 and 2008 respectively.
The shortlist for the 2020 race is made up of Istanbul, Tokyo and Madrid. Other countries thinking about bidding for 2024 include Argentina, Morocco and Egypt.
Kenya already has seven medals at the London 2012 Olympics, including two gold. The country also has high hopes for Sunday’s marathon.
We wish Kenya the very best as they take this bold step in bringing the world games to Africa.
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What do you think about Kenya’s intention to bid for the Olympics. Do you think the country stands a good chance of hosting the Olympics? If you were to take a guess, which African country do you think would be the first to host the Olympics?
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