Cape Town eyes hosting 2036 Olympic Games: 'We can do it!' - Guy Briggs, architect

Pippa Hudson speaks to Guy Briggs, an architect and urban designer.

Listen below.

Following recent discussions between Minister Gayton McKenzie and the International Olympic Committee in Switzerland about Cape Town hosting the 2036 Summer Olympic Games, the idea is gaining traction.

After last week's meeting, McKenzie said, "We are at the start of an exciting new process that could lead to South Africa hosting the 2036 Olympic Games."

South Africa's last Olympic bid was for the 2004 Games that went to Athens but speculations had been growing even before this comment from Minister McKenzie about a renewed effort for 2036, notes Hudson.

While the City hasn’t confirmed any plans, opinions are incoming.

Some locals believe Cape Town has the infrastructure and potential to become the first African city to host the Games while others fear a financial albatross.

Briggs believes there are benefits to hosting the Olympics.

In terms of infrastructure, "We're a lot closer than people would think," he says.

"Frankly, we can do it."

- Guy Briggs, Architect and urban designer

"The way the Olympics is hosted now has changed over the last couple of Games and there's a greater emphasis on the developmental needs of the host city... We have 84% of the sport venues already ready, minus some additional spend to make them ready for the Olympic Games."

- Guy Briggs, Architect and urban designer

"We would have 10 to 12 years to prepare for the Games with a focus, marshalling resources..."

- Guy Briggs, Architect and urban designer

Briggs notes that hosting the Olympics would not be a 'sporting spectacle' but instead develop the City's infrastructure and economy, while creating jobs.

"The key thing is we're not spending it on a sporting spectacle... What we're spending money on is infrastructure, housing, economic development and job creation... if one thinks of it like that - the great spectacle that is the Olympic Games is the icing on the cake - but really what we're doing is we're bringing a massive focus on economic growth."

- Guy Briggs, Architect and urban designer

Briggs believes there are pros and cons but the pros might outweigh the cons, once examined.

"For Cape Town in particular, if we manage to convince people to host it here, but for the Western Cape, more generally, the other thing about the games now is that one tends to spread the impact, make it work across a much broader level because there are, of course, negative impacts like lots of traffic and an influx of people... Yes, it costs... but there are other huge positive impacts that come with it and the more we can share those, the more positivity we can get from the whole event."

- Guy Briggs, Architect and urban designer

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