September 05, 2007	Wednesday	Sha'aban 22, 1428

PRAGUE (Czech Republic), Sept 4: Prague officially entered the race on Tuesday to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, joining a strong field that includes candidates from the United States, Japan and Brazil.

Prague Mayor Pavel Bem and Czech Olympic Committee Chairman Milan Jirasek signed a declaration of interest to the International Olympic Committee and unveiled the official logo for the capital city’s candidacy.

Candidate cities must submit their initial bid files to the IOC by Sept 13. Other contenders include Chicago, Tokyo; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Madrid, Spain, and Doha, Qatar. The IOC will select the winning city in 2009.

Prague has never staged the Olympics.—AP