Olympics-South Africa intends to launch bid for 2036 or 2040 Games

The Olympic rings are pictured in front of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne, Switzerland, March 24, 2020. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) -South Africa plans to bid to stage the 2036 or 2040 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the government said on Thursday, and become the first host of the global event on the African continent.

Cape Town previously bid to host the 2004 Games that were staged in Athens, finishing third in the voting behind Rome, and is likely to be the city South Africa will put forward again.