International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge arrived in Durban on Monday amid frenzied final campaigning ahead of this week’s vote on the host city for the 2018 Winter Games.
Rogge said at King Shaka airport that the IOC was “delighted” to be in South Africa’s east coast city for its 123rd session, or general assembly, where members will on Wednesday choose between three candidates - Annecy, France; Munich; and Pyeongchang, South Korea - for the 2018 host.
Pyeongchang is favoured to finally win over IOC members after failing in previous bids for the 2010 and 2014 Winter Games. Munich is believed to be Pyeongchang’s closest challenger with the third city, Annecy of France, considered the outsider.
Even before Rogge’s arrival, bid teams from the three candidates had already begun frantic final lobbying in hotels across the seaside city.
Rogge addressed media for just 60 seconds at Durban’s new international airport after travelling from Monaco via Nice, London and Johannesburg to the Indian Ocean resort. The IOC President had attended the weekend wedding of IOC member Prince Albert of Monaco, who married former South Africa Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock.
Albert and many of his IOC colleagues are also expected to jet into Durban on Monday for the weeklong Olympic gathering, just the second time an IOC session has been held in Africa and the first on the continent in more than 70 years.
On Monday, South Africa sports minister Fikile Mbalula greeted Rogge on behalf of the country’s president, Jacob Zuma.
Zuma, who is out of South Africa on state business, said in a Sunday statement that he extended “a warm personal welcome” to IOC members for their July 4—9 annual meeting.
“Our host city of Durban is ready to offer the IOC a memorable and productive visit to South Africa,” Zuma said. “We wish the IOC well in its deliberations and offer our congratulations and best wishes to the three candidate cities for the 2018 Winter Games.”
