Few people know African sport as well as Lassana Palenfo. The Ivorian has chaired the Association of African National Olympic Committees (ACNOA) for 10 years. He also supported the creation and development of the French-speaking Association of Olympic Committees (AFCNO). Honorary member of the IOC, he takes an informed look at the new situation of the Olympic movement after the adoption of the resolutions of Agenda 2020. He answered questions from FrancsJeux on a possible African candidacy for the 2024 Games… and on the ambitions of Paris.

FrancsJeux: What change can we expect from Agenda 2020 on the next Olympic bids?

Lassana Palenfo: This new situation may encourage new applications. In Africa, in particular. In my opinion, South Africa must apply to host the 2024 Games, even if its chances of winning will be modest. Organizing the Games requires considerable resources, financially of course, but also human and logistical. Today, the continent does not have these means. But we have to go step by step. First the Commonwealth Games, then the Youth Olympic Games. And finally, after having had these two events, try to have the Games with a real chance of victory.

Would a South African bid for the 2024 Games be premature?

No. She must go there for the 2024 Games. But she must go there to set the date and position herself.

Agenda 2020 is intended to make the bidding process more flexible, lower the cost and make the Games more affordable. With such a reform, would South Africa have the means to organize the Summer Olympics?

Today, I don't think so. Welcoming more than 10.000 athletes and as many journalists is no easy feat. And the cost of Games security remains colossal. At the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics, Italians spent billions of euros on security.

Can the success of the Football World Cup in 2010 help South Africa in its Olympic project?

I am not sure. The World Cup was a success, that's for sure, but it disappointed the South African population. People expected a lot in terms of economic benefits. They didn't see anything coming. We have to be honest, the 2010 World Cup did not bring much to the South Africans. We have built stadiums, but they are not used much.

What role could the rest of the African continent play in a South African bid?

He will have to organize himself to help South Africa in its Olympic project. Not only through its support, but also in a concrete way, by investing in particular in tourism, with the creation of new hotels. You should not be a candidate for fun, but with the desire to win. Be a candidate with a legacy in mind, to encourage countries to, in turn, become candidates for the organization of major events in the future. Africa must organize itself now for future applications.

Can Agenda 2020 promote a Paris bid for the 2024 Games?

It will reduce the cost of the Games, that’s for sure. So, it will favor all countries sensitive to this issue. France is one of them. But I am convinced that she has the size and the means to go all the way.

Let's imagine a scenario where France and South Africa were candidates for the 2024 Games. To which side would the voices of French-speaking Africa go?

It will be up to each country to decide. For the 2012 Games, we all voted for Paris. And I know several countries in English-speaking Africa that have done the same. But Paris lost.

At the time, Africa did not present any candidates...

It's true. For 2024, in the case of a candidacy from Paris and one from South Africa, the votes of French-speaking Africa would undoubtedly be divided. But it will be up to the candidates to seek votes, by presenting an attractive dossier. And, above all, a file that has a chance of winning. The candidates, including Paris, will have to convince voters of their chances of success. People don't want to vote for a city knowing that it won't be able to win.