Rogge was opening the 7th World Conference, Sport, Education and Culture in Durban, one of the cities hoping to bid for the 2020 Olympics.

They face competition from Cape Town, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth but are the favourites to earn the South African nomination.

But whichever city is put forward will draw encouragement from Rogge's remarks 

"I have to congratulate South Africa on the way they hosted the World Cup," he told the delegates, who included IOC Executive Board member Sam Ramsamy.

Durban is hoping to use the conference as another opportunity to put forward its proposed Olympic bid but South Africa's Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula has claimed that the Government still has not make a decision as to which city to back.

"We understand that Durban is particularly enthusiastic, but the issue of the host city has not yet been finalised," he said

"Where we are at now is that while Cape Town had earlier said they were not interested, they have changed this position and the matter is wide open.

"We should be able to finalise the issue by the end of January or early in February, and we will then make an announcement as to which South African city will make the country's bid.

"The overall principle is that South Africa is prepared to host the Summer Olympics.

"The issue now is which city."

The IOC is due to choose the host city for the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics at its annual Session in Buenos Aires in 2013.

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