Can Kenya host the Olympics?

No African country has ever staged the Olympics, and International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge has said Kenya would have to make big infrastructure improvements for its bid to be taken seriously.

Sports Minister Ochilo Ayacko insists Kenya is serious in its pledge and would marshal its resources.

The country has four years to prepare its bid before the deciding vote in 2009.

But is it a realistic goal? Do you think Kenya is serious in its challenge? And could Kenya get the necessary infrastructure in place in time? Or given Kenya's great record in athletics, do they deserve to host the Games? Is it not time the Olympics were held in Africa?

Let us know your views using the form on the right.

A selection of your comments will be posted below and broadcast on the BBC's Focus on Africa programme on Saturday 15 January at 1700GMT.

The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide.

yes realistic goals starts with serious bids.with 2016 kenya can improve its infrastructure. kenya is serious and shall not be neglected.
yussuf dayib ali, nairobi,kenya

I dont think that the country is serious with this bid and I hope it's not playing politics. There would be no resources,no political goodwill and it would pose logistical nightmares. I would rather that they were concentrating on the economical windfall of the South African World cup in 2010 by hosting teams en-route to the South.It's location is God sent for teams wanting to acclimitise,relax and then hop into South Africa. It would also be a major showcase to the wonderfull tourism of the country.
Thariki, London, Kenya

Having lived 19 years of my life in Kenya, I believe Kenya has a lot of potential in various aspects, I believe setting a goal such as hosting 2016 Olympics would bring out the best in Kenyans and lead to much needed improvement in the country, I have also always believed Kenya to have enough potential to be self supporting, and in no need for financial assistance were it not for corruption.
Husein A Musa, Edmonton, Canada

Yes,Africa deserves to host the olympics,butI doubt if the continent is ready or capable of hosting this great event as of now.I see Kenya's announcement to host, as a misplaced priority ,Kenya being one of Africa's stable democracy should rather concentrate on improving the standard of living of it's people. I understand that there is high unemployment,poverty and crime in that Country.Let efforts be geared toward improving these.Hosting the Olympics is not a Child's play,the host must be able to provide solid Security,communication facilities, good roads,Modern stadia and decent accomodation for participating countries.Can Kenya do this?,that's the million dollar question that will determine which of the African countries will be able to host this great event in the future.
Tope Idowu, USA

Kenya's bid is more symbolic than realistic. But if Kenya wants to have any chance at all it will need to invest billions of dollars, which it does not have, into infastructure and roads. Or it needs to seriously look at the option of a joint bid with its neighbours, possibly Ethiopia and Uganda or South Africa.
Tim, SunCity,Nevada,U.S.A.

Yes! Kenya can undoubtly hold the olympic games successfully. Considering the fact Kenya has produced some of the best athletes in the region, the event will boost the sportmanship morale in the country and african region at large. I would suggest that 2016 olympics be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Tanzania.
Kiplangat, Kenyan, tokyo, Japan

As a Kenyan I would like my country and country men/women to be part of what is going on in the world. We should vie for any opportunity out there. Because this is the only way we can learn and grow as a country and a people. Having said this, I should hasten to add, for kenya to think of hosting Olympics in 2016 is alittle to much an ambition. U.N requires countries like Kenya to have achieved a certain level of provision of basic amenities(e.g., water, universal health care, piped water etc) to its/her population by the year 2015. We are not anywhere close to achieving this goal. It is ludicrous for us to be talking of spending big on facilities that might be rendered idle after the games.
Josephat Shimechero, Peabody, MA, USA

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
IOC
Focus on Africa
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites