Durban, South Africa has won its bid to host the 123rd session of the International Olympic Committee to be held in 2011 – announced the IOC in Beijing today. The city defeated Hong Kong in a final vote off but there were previously seven cities in the running for the prestigious meeting.
On top of the meeting’s agenda will be the election of the host city for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games; early contenders for that race include PyeongChang Korea, Geneva Switzerland, Munich Germany and Tromsoe Norway.
Durban has hinted at a long term goal of hosting the Olympic Games in 2020, and this meeting is an opportune time to showcase what the city has to offer to the members responsible for electing the winner. The campaign for the 2020 Olympic Games will commence shortly after the 123rd session with a final vote scheduled for 2013.
Hong Kong’s Permanent Secretary of Home Affairs, Carrie Yau Tsag Ka-lai reportedly blamed her bid’s loss in part to the fact that Hong Kong is currently hosting the Beijing 2008 Olympic Equestrian events, believing that the IOC wants to spread the opportunities around the globe.
