Moscow, May 23: Moscow's mayor announced today that the city was submitting its bid to host the 2012 summer Olympics, putting the Russian capital in competition with New York, London, Paris and other cities.
"Moscow officially is putting forward its candidacy to host the summer Olympic games in 2012," mayor Yuri Luzhkov told the Olympic assembly, the Russian Olympic committee's ruling body. "We have all grounds to say that Moscow is one of the most advanced cities in the world when it comes to sports."
The assembly, which must endorse the bid, was to vote on it later today. London, New York, Paris, Madrid, Havana and Leipzig, Germany are already confirmed candidates to host the games.
The Brazilian cities of Rio De Janeiro or Sao Paulo might also bid, and Toronto could enter the race if fellow Canadian city Vancouver is not selected to host the 2010 winter Olympics.
Moscow first said it intended to bid in July 2001, when it hosted a meeting of the International Olympic Committee.


Bureau Report