South Africa's Olympic governing body SASCOC and the city of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal were on Saturday jointly given the honour of being awarded the Olympic Cup.
This prestigious award is an annual award made by the International Olympic Committee and was presented to SASCOC President Mr Gideon Sam and SASCOC CEO Mr Tubby Reddy by the President of the IOC, Dr Jacques Rogge.
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A wave of eastern ecstasy swept through the 123rd International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Durban on Wednesday, 6 July as the South Korean city of PyeongChang was awarded the rights to host the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.
IOC President Dr Jacques Rogge read out the name of the winning city just before 5.30pm SA time and the Korean delegation erupted with joy.It was a case of third time lucky for the Korean City, having unsuccessfully lodged bids for the 2010 (Vancouver, Canada) and 2014 (Sochi, Russia) Winter Olympics.
The 123rd International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session featured a spectacular official opening ceremony in Durban on Tuesday evening. The Session, the first time it has come to the African continent, will on Wednesday see the announcement of the host city for the 2018 Winter Olympics. Three cities will be bidding for the privilege Munich in Germany, Annecy in France and Pyeongchang in South Korea.
A wide range of distinguished guests from around the world were entertained by traditional dancers, spectacular acrobatics and were treated to the vocal skills of Afro-jazz ace Abigail Kubekha and the award-winning Ladysmith Black Mambazo group.
The opening ceremony of the 123rd IOC Session in Durban will be held at the Playhouse Theatre in Durban on Tuesday, 5 July.
Then it's on to the highlight of the Session, when the host city for the 2018 Winter Olympics will be announced on Wednesday evening. Three cities are bidding for the honour of hosting the Games, Munich (Germany), Annecy (France) and Pyeongchang (South Korea) in order of lots drawn.
South Africa afforded International Olympic Committee President Dr Jacques Rogge a warm welcome in Durban on Monday following his arrival in South Africa for the hosting of the 123rd IOC Session from 4-9 July. Highlight of the Session, to be attended by numerous sporting celebrities, politicians and royalty, will be the announcing, on Wednesday 6 July, of the host city for the 2018 Winter Olympics.
The three cities bidding for the privilege are Munich (Germany), Annecy (France) and PyeongChang (Korea), drawn by lot in that particular order. On hand to welcome Dr Rogge was Dr Sam Ramsamy, IOC Executive Board member as well as a member of South African Olympic governing body SASCOC.
The Minister of Sport and Recreation South Africa, Mr. Fikile Mbalula has directed his Special Advisor to convene an urgent meeting with Cricket South Africa with a view to getting a report on the progress of the investigation into CSA and in the light of recent media reports on irregular allocation of bonuses to some staff members.
Mr. Tubby Reddy, Chief Executive Officer of South Africa's controlling sports body, SASCOC, on Wednesday fully endorsed the Ministry's decision regarding the matter.
The logo for the 123rd International Olympic Committee Session in Durban on 4-9 July was officially unveiled by IOC Executive Board Member, Dr Sam Ramsamy, SASCOC President Gideon Sam and the Mayor Designate, James Nxumalo at a 30-day countdown ceremony in Durban on Thursday.
Dr Ramsamy highlighted that "Heads of State, Royalty, Ministers and former Ministers, International Sports Administrators, Heads of International Corporate Companies and Sports Stars make up the illustrious membership of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This is the first time that such a group is assembling in South Africa. This provides us with abounding opportunities to showcase our economy, our tourism, our culture and our people. We are extremely grateful that the IOC has given us the honour to host this prestigious event.
Suspended Athletics South Africa general manager Molatelo Malehopo has failed in a bid to avoid further investigation by the country's Olympic governing body SASCOC.
Malehope served legal papers on SASCOC on Friday, 27 May, 2011 in which he called on them to appear in court on Monday, 30 May, 2011. In the legal documents he challenged whether SASCOC had the jurisdiction to summons him to a hearing, saying he was not employed by SASCOC.
SASCOC president Gideon Sam said on Thursday that the country's Olympic governing body respected the decision by the national government not to endorse a bid to host the 2020 Olympic Games in South Africa.
Cabinet earlier issued a statement in Cape Town on Thursday saying it was not the right time for the country, despite hosting Africa's first Soccer World Cup in 2010, to bid for the Olympics.
South African sport must speak with one voice at the inaugural National Sports Indaba to take place in Johannesburg in August.
"We must speak with a single voice when it comes to transformation, school sport and funding," said SASCOC president Gideon Sam on Sunday.
The president of the country s Olympic sports governing body, Sam was speaking at the conclusion of SASCOC's two-day Presidents Council meeting held in Johannesburg.