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SAfrica sports minister not giving up on Olympics

The Columbian
Published: June 13, 2011, 5:00pm

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa’s sports minister says his department is not giving up on hosting the 2020 Olympics despite a government decision last month that it was not the right time to bid.

Fikile Mbalula calls it unfortunate that he was in hospital when South Africa’s cabinet advised against a bid. But he says on Tuesday “it is not all lost” and his ministry will try to persuade the government “to think otherwise” before the September deadline for candidate cities.

World Cup host South Africa was considered an early favorite for the 2020 Summer Games. Durban, which stages next month’s IOC session, is expected to win approval to bid.

The South Africa government last month opted against a bid to focus on social issues.

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