South Africa announced on Thursday its intention to submit a bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in either 2036 or 2040, without specifying a candidate city.

Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni stated that South Africa, the first African nation to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup, will engage in ongoing discussions with the International Olympic Committee, currently led by Zimbabwean Kirsty Coventry. She described the move as a “preliminary and exploratory commitment.”

Cape Town had previously bid to host the 2004 Olympic Games, which were ultimately awarded to Athens following a vote in 1997.