Durban is the favourite to be put forward by South Africa to bid for the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics and the Session is seen as the perfect opportunity to showcase it.

"We will roll out the red carpet and convince the IOC [Executive] Board and conference members that Durban is capable of hosting the Olympics," said Logie Naidoo, the Deputy Mayor of Ethekwini, the Metropolitan Municipality that includes Durban.

"We believe that we are on the right track and are fairly confident that we will pip the other cities and win the right to bid."

Durban faces competition from Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth to be chosen to bid by the South African Government but is confident after the success of last year's World Cup.

They hosted seven World Cup matches, including the semi-final between Germany and Spain, at its breathtaking Moses Mabhida Stadium, with it signature arch.

"Durban also has the perfect weather which is suitable for the Olympic Games' climate," said Naidoo.

The importance that South Africa is attaching to the IOC Session is illustrated by the fact that President Jacob Zuma has put into place a Ministerial Task Team (IMC) for the event, where the host city for the 2018 Winter Olympics and Paralympics is due to be chosen.

"It's all systems go as we get ever closer to our hosting of the IOC Session in Durban in July," said Tubby Reddy, the chief executive of South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC).

"The recent presentation to the IOC Protocol seminar went off very successfully and I'm happy to say the IOC was very pleased with the progress made as well as the state of preparedness.

"The delegates present were especially pleased at the logo for the session.

"We'll shortly be unveiling the logo to the nation for all to see."

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