Will Africa soon submit an Olympic bid? Does she have the means and the will? FrancsJeux asked the question to one of the best African experts on the Games, the Senegalese Diamil Faye. An expert on the Olympic movement, president of the Jappo agency, a consulting company specializing in sporting events, recruited as a consultant by the Tokyo 2020 bid team. Interview.

FrancsJeux: Will we see an African city apply for the Summer Games in 2024 or 2028?

Diamil Faye: If Africa wants to organize the Olympic Games in 2024 or even in 2028, it must prepare now and have a precise roadmap. Of course, the country that embarks on the adventure will have to gather the means to apply. But, beyond money, he must work on the relational aspects and on the message that Africa wants to give.

South Africa has made no secret of its plan to host the Games. Is it today the only African country capable of entering the race?

The only one, probably not, but certainly the ideal candidate. It will be difficult to find better on the continent than South Africa. It is the only country that currently meets all the parameters: budget, infrastructure, level of participation…

Does the disappearance of Nelson Mandela strengthen South Africa's chances?

I think so. Sam Ramsamy (South African member of the IOC) was very close to Nelson Mandela. He fought hard to get South Africa back to the Games. Their common dream was to win the organization of the Olympic Games. Today, the greatest tribute would be to win them posthumously, because Nelson Mandela single-handedly embodied the Olympic Charter. Sam Ramsamy knows it. And he is right to play this card.

Beyond the Games, is Africa preparing one or more bids for major events on the international calendar?

To my knowledge, no. And I regret it. Nigeria wanted the Commonwealth Games, but the current government no longer supports the idea. It is a shame that Africa is not positioning itself for the Youth Olympic Games. This event is made for this continent. Singapore organized it for $380 million. With ideas, we must be able to do it while spending less.

What is Africa missing?

A desire to position oneself through sport on the world map.

Even in athletics?

Yes. It is regrettable that Senegal did not ask Lamine Diack (the president of the IAAF) to have the world championships. He will soon retire as a leader without having seen an African country apply.

France is currently studying the possibility of submitting a candidacy for the 2024 Games. Would it have the support of Africa?

If South Africa presents a candidacy, it will be very complicated for African countries to support another country. The entire continent will unite behind the South African project. Otherwise, the question is worth asking. But France must first ask itself how to win Africa's support. In recent years, France has somewhat abandoned the field. It will therefore be complicated to tell African countries to vote for it. It will first need to re-establish, in the long term, sporting cooperation. Certainly, today there is an association of French-speaking national Olympic committees, which includes France and many African countries. But an association is not enough. You have to activate it on a daily basis.

Photo © Laurent Bagnis / Jappo