CRI听力: Rio's Victory Opens Door for Africa on the Olympic Stage

Amid the ongoing Olympic summit in Copenhagen, several Olympians have heralded Rio's victory to host the 2016 Olympics over Madrid, Tokyo and Chicago as a progressive step, and possibly a move away from the gigantism which allowed only the richest nations to stage the event in the past.

Ethiopian Olympic Committee President Berhane Kidanemariam says Africa expects to host the Olympics someday in the not too distant future. He believes the recent economic development on the continent has made Africa's Olympic dream feasible. (www.hXen.com)

"We are improving our continent economically. So if (we are) economically improving, we will have the capability to host the Games."

Among all African cities, South Africa's Cape Town and the Egyptian capital Cairo are seen as the most likely to host the Games. Cape Town did bid several years ago for the 2004 Games and South Africa will host the 2010 World Cup.

Gideon Sam is the president of the South African Olympic Committee.

"Out of the 2020 World Cup, there will be a legacy of infrastructure, stadiums, (that's) very much like the Olympics. When they have the Olympics, venues are concentrated, more or less, in one city and of course, obviously we still have a 7 year period towards bidding for 2020."

Claus Nielsen, secretary General of the Greenland Sports Federation, points out that making the Olympic dream real for Africa will require a positive contribution from all members of the world community.

"The rest of the world can help with infrastructure. This is the time for Africa, but they need help from the rest of the world. The rest of the world shouldn't just sit and wait (to see) whether they are ready or not. We should help them somehow."

Tingting, CRI news.